Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Jones becomes a Kiwi, no word on Braswell

Updated at 12:03 pm on 14 June 2012

The American Marcel Jones has had his New Zealand residency approved and he's now trialling for the Tall Blacks - but there is still no word from the Ministry of Internal Affairs on former Breakers guard Kevin Braswell's bid to play for the national men's basketball side.

The Tall Blacks began final preparations for their last chance bid at Olympic qualification yesterday.

Jones, a forward for the Manawatu Jets in the local NBL who also played for the Wellington Saints, wasn't expected to be involved in the trials, but he now has an edge on fellow American Braswell, whose nervous wait to find out if his application's been successful continues.

The pair are vying with the incumbent American Casey Frank for the one naturalised spot in the squad.

Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand