It would not have happened in Glen Denham's day but Otago and Auckland will field a combined team at the national under-21 tournament in Tauranga this week.
Basketball Otago chief executive Mark Rogers said the association was disappointed it was unable to field a stand-alone team but described the combined team as an opportunity to give those who were keen to play exposure.
"We had trials at the beginning of the year and it was evident we did not have enough commitment to field a team of our own," he said.
"Waitakere were in a position where they were looking for more players so they could field a team as well. So between the two of us we've entered a combined team."
Rogers said cost was also a big factor.
The team would have been made up of mostly students who would have found it difficult to stretch the finances to include a trip to the North Island for a basketball tournament, he said.
Otago's contribution to the side includes former Nuggets Tom Rowe and James Ross, and highly rated players Hayden Miller and Luke Aston.
Waitakere was a beaten finalist last year but lost talented duo Houston O'Riley and Zack Makavilitogia to West Auckland.
The Waitakere City-Otago team began its campaign in style last night, beating the Emerging Junior Tall Blacks 101-58.
The merged Waitakere City-Otago side, West Auckland and defending champion Porirua are the sides to beat.
Former North Otago Penguins guard Riki Buckrell has moved to Wellington and will play for Hutt Valley.
The Otago women's team beat Palmerston North 63-26 in the morning but was beaten by Porirua, 84-60, last night.
