The New Zealand men's basketball team won't have the services of captain Kirk Penney as they try to qualify for this year's Olympics.
Penney has withdrawn from the squad because of a torn calf muscle suffered playing for his Spanish club.
31-year-old Penney says representing New Zealand on the world stage is something he's always been honoured to do and not being able to play in an Olympic qualifying year is particularly tough.
Penney filled in as Tall Blacks captain in 2009 when incumbent Pero Cameron was unavailable and took over the role when Cameron retired to the coaching staff last year.
Three Olympic places are up for grabs at the final qualifying tournament in Venezuela in early July.
