Basketball scholarship to Chch player

Press, 1 September 1977, Page 28

Basketball scholarship to Chch player

By

ROD DEW

One of New Zealand’s finest men’s basketball forwards, Carl Stent (Mairehau) o f Christchurch, has accepted a basketball scholarship at Brigham Young University in Hawaii. Because of a last-minute rush finalising documents, he has been forced to withdraw from the Canterbury team

which will defend its New Zealand title at Hamilton next week. But he is still keen to make a final appearance in Canterbury colours against Otago on Saturday at Cowles Stadium. A New Zealand trialist this season, Stent, aged 20, will be badly missed by the Canterbury team next week. The side is already suffering from the loss of its two New Zealand representatives, Matt Ruscoe and John Hill.

Stent, who has been training all season for the national tournament, is "a bit upset” at having to miss it. “There just wasn’t any alternatives. I have got to be here to fix up my visa and other papers,” he said.

He is scheduled to take up his scholarship on September 12. While at the university, as well as playing basketball he will be taking a four-year degree

course in physical education and recreation. At the end of it, he plans to return to New Zealand, take up coaching, and try for his New Zealand singlet as a player. Stent, whose place in the New Zealand trials this season was specifically requested by the New Zealand coach (Mr Steve McKean, of Auckland), was not chosen but was considered a strong possibility for the team which will attend the inaugural Commonwealth tournament in England next year.

Stent realises that his decision to accept the scholarship rules him out of consideration but believes that his time in Hawaii will prepare him better for the years ahead. “I know that if I stayed I might get in the New Zealand team next year. But I missed out this season. The same thing might happen

again next season. By accepting the scholarship, I know I will get four years of intensive basketball. When I come back, I should be better equipped to earn a place in the New Zealand team.”

He is following in the footsteps of another top New Zealand representative, Ngatai Smith, of Hamilton. He spent four years at the university before returning to play for New Zealand.

“I have been told the standard of basketball is more intense and much higher than in New Zealand. Apparently, there is room for short forwards,” he said.

Stent, a strong and capable rebounder, is 1.91 m (6ft 3in) tall. He gained his grounding in the sport under Mr Kerry Williams at Mairehau High School and had his first season of A-grade basketball for the Mairehau club while still at school.

Last season, he played in Auckland and represented Mount Wellington at the national tournament. He returned to Christchurch and this season has played a leading role in the gaining of third place for Mairehau in the Canterbury A-grade championship. The club, even more than the province, will find it difficult to adequately replace him.