17 May 2001

Best In NZ Basketball To Face Off At Westpactrust Centre

The WestpacTrust Centre will be the stage for the Burger King Basketball All-Star Game on Saturday, June 2.

Top Kiwi and imported basketball players in New Zealand will play in a North Island versus South Island game. Tall Black and Auckland coach Tab Baldwin will coach the Northerners, while Tall Black Assistant Coach Nenad Vucinic of Nelson will coach the Southerners. The coaches placed 1 and 2 respectively in last year's NBL.

The day starts with an All-Star Slam Dunk Contest at 2:30 pm, with the winner taking home a cheque for $1000. Judges will include Erin Baker and Danyon Loader.

The All-Star Game begins at 3:30 and will air live on TVOne.

The teams are to be announced next week. Tall Black star Tony Rampton has been confirmed as a player, and Canterbury Rams import John "Pope" Whorton is expected to be named to the South Island squad.

Event organiser John Watson is looking for a sell-out crowd. "We've got the best facility and the best basketball fans here in Canterbury. Basketball is rapidly growing in popularity and is the second largest spectator sport in town. This is a great opportunity for people to come and see what basketball is all about."

Tickets are $3, available at Ticketek.

All proceeds from the event go to the Rambo Charitable Trust, an organisation using basketball as a vehicle for community and individual development that benefits children and families. . The Rambo Trust and the Westpac Trust Rams have a close relationship with Christchurch City Council and this event is also supported by promotion through Christchurch City Council.

Media contacts:

John Watson, Event Organiser 358-3865 or 364-2987 ext 8622
Christchurch City Councilor Erin Baker 326-7573