Kahn Hart of australiabasket.com spoke to Dion Prewster (196-G/F-91) who is one of the most talented young basketball players New Zealand has seen in a long time, displaying athleticism unlike any player in the country and an all around game which is constantly improving.
Kahn Hart of australiabasket.com spoke to Dion Prewster (196-G/F-91) who is one of the most talented young basketball players New Zealand has seen in a long time, displaying athleticism unlike any player in the country and an all around game which is constantly improving. Last year Dion left New Zealand's shores for the land of opportunity the United States of America, where he was due to play for Iowa City High School, however things turned sour when the Iowa High School Athletic Association decided that Dion was recruited to play basketball at the school which is illegal under Iowa rules, the circumstances surrounding this ruling were very cloudy but after sitting out the season, things have improved for Prewster as he recieved a scholarship to attend one of the premier Junior Colleges in the USA, San Jacinto CC. We spoke to Dion about his time in the USA and what is in store for him over the next few seasons.
Hi Dion, the situation you had at Iowa City High School where you were ruled ineligible by the state of Iowa for allegedly being recruited was in the news back in New Zealand, the whole situation must have been frustrating for you?
Dion- Yes it really was hard because the fact I couldn't play the whole year was a bummer. It was my last year of high school and our team was very successful and won the state championship but I was still able to be apart of it by practicing all year as well as becoming a better player so some positive things happened along the way.
Dion- The first thing I noticed is that they're a winning program and coach Scott Gernander has been there for over thirty years so he's very loyal to the program and his players. Also a lot of the players that graduate from there go on to division 1 schools and some of their well known success stories such as Steve Francis, Sam Cassell (191-G-69, college: Florida St.) and many others. Overall it's a great place for me to develop my game but also Coach Gernander knows the game really well.
What would make this next season at San Jacinto a success in your eyes?
Dion- I think if I can contribute to the team and also work hard on my game then everything else will fall into place. Of course we want to win the national championship as well but that's a given for any team. We play to win don't we?
For those people who havent seen you play yet, how would you describe your game?
Dion- My game has really been more of a slasher/unselfish player and people always notice the athleticism but Im rounding out the rest of game such as my shooting and ball handling which has improved a lot from a year ago.
In 2005 you played with the New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks at the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival and you scored 14 points and grabbed 7 rebounds against O.J. Mayo (196-G-87, college: USC) and his USA squad as a 15 year old I might add, describe how that tournament was for you?
Dion- The experience was an eye opener for me because being so young and comparing my game to those guys at the time such as O.J. Mayo, Greg Oden (213-C-88, college: Ohio St.), Mike Conley (186-G-87, college: Ohio St.), and D.J. Augustin (180-G-87), it made me want to work harder as a basketball player.
It must have been pretty big to be so young and playing against a bunch of certain future NBA stars such as Greg Oden and O.J. Mayo?
Dion- Yes it was a learning curve because they were getting ready for College and the NBA and I had always been the best or one of the best back home in New Zealand so therefore knew I had to work a lot harder. Also it gave me a lot of confidence in myself because I could hold my own against them.
Players like Alex Pledger (216-C-87), Thomas Abercrombie (198-G-87, college: Washington St.) and Jeremiah Trueman (206-F-87, college: San Diego Chr.) got quite a bit of interest from colleges while attending that tournament and inevitably received scholarships, did any schools show interest in you?
Dion- To be honest, none at all really. Which made kind of mad because I thought I performed well but also I think at the time my game had a lot of holes in it so that could have been a factor.
What would be your ideal situation to go into in terms of a division 1 college?
Dion- I think any division 1 school that is willing to pay for your education is ideal but wherever I might end up I just want to be able to help contribute to the team and play. This past year not being allowed to play made me appreciate the game of basketball so much more.
You played at the Albert Schweitzer youth international tournament a few months back, how was that experience?
Dion- Any time you get to represent your country it's an honor and at the same time you get to go against international competition that have different styles of play which makes it a great experience.
What are the main things you want to work on this season?
Dion- Specifically I really want to get stronger because it's so important, your body can take a beating after a long season and also it prepares you for the next level because players are always stronger at that level. Overall just keep making strides in rounding out my game and skills.
What are your long term goals?
Dion- To enjoy playing the game of basketball but also maybe one day make a living off of it, because I have so much passion and love for the game that I can't see myself not being involved in it. Even it means doing coaching of some sort, which would be awesome.
Thanks very much for your time Dion we wish you the best for your upcoming season at San Jacinto CC and with the NZ Junior National Team.
Basketball New Zealand has accepted a Sports Tribunal of New Zealand decision to suspend Manawatu Jet Stacey Lambert (190-G-76) until September 16 after he tested positive for cannabis. Lambert returned a positive sample after the Jets round 13 National Basketball League game against the Bay Hawks in Taradale on May 21. He waived the right to have his B sample analysed and admitted the violation in the Tribunal hearing on July 11.
Basketball New Zealand has accepted a Sports Tribunal of New Zealand decision to suspend Manawatu Jet Stacey Lambert (190-G-76) until September 16 after he tested positive for cannabis. Lambert returned a positive sample after the Jets round 13 National Basketball League game against the Bay Hawks in Taradale on May 21. He waived the right to have his B sample analysed and admitted the violation in the Tribunal hearing on July 11. BBNZ had sought a provisional suspension on June 6 until the hearing was held but after the Jets offered to stand him down for their final regular season game the following night and the Tribunal decided not to impose a provisional suspension. The Tribunal suspended Lambert for two months, which prevents him having any part - playing, coaching, refereeing, administrating - in basketball organised, authorised or sanctioned by BBNZ or any other sport under the Drug Free Sport umbrella. As any sports organisation would be, we are concerned with positive tests, Basketball New Zealand CEO Dale Stephens said. We continue to work with Drug Free Sport to enhance our education for all participants in basketball and remain totally committed to the policies of Drug Free Sport. Courtesy of: www.basketball.org.nz
Greece - New Zealand 75:48
New Zealand was just a whisker away from the qualification to the Olympic Games but failed to make that step. They came up short against powerful Greek team in Athens yesterday and were eliminated from Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament. Vassilis Spanoulis (193-G-82, agency: Beo Basket) nailed 14 points as Greece rolled to a comfortable win at the end. They will now face Puerto Rico in the semifinal.
