Basketball: Two former Silver Ferns in Goldrush

The Otago Goldrush has sprung a surprise in naming two former Silver Ferns in the squad.

Jodi Brown and Daneka Wipiiti made their names in the shooting circle for the Silver Ferns but will suit up for the Goldrush this season.

Wipiiti has made 18 appearances for the Silver Ferns while Brown donned the Ferns' bib in 28 games from 2002 to 2007.

There is plenty of other star power, with Tall Ferns forward Patrice McKenzie and dual international Suzie Bates also in the squad.

American forward Casey Lockwood, experienced guards Janet Main and Elise Cassidy and swingman Samara Gallaher round out very useful line-up.

Bates, though, will miss the early games in the Women's Basketball Championships. She is on duty with the New Zealand women's cricket team while McKenzie will be in China with the Tall Ferns and also has basketball commitments in Australia which may prevent her from featuring this season.

Still, Goldrush coach Brent Matehaere is very pleased with his squad and, in particular, his netball stars.

"They bring a lot of experience, a desire to perform, and height, obviously," he said.

"They've both played basketball in the past but, I guess, just not as much recently because they have been concentrating on netball.

"The basic skills cross both sports.

"It is just the footwork which is the main thing when crossing over from netball to basketball."

At 1.94m, Wipiiti is a natural centre and Brown (1.85m) will also slot into the forward line.

The pair should not have too much trouble shooting and have shown some skills dribbling the ball as well, Matehaere said.

The WBC gets under way in Palmerston North next week and the Goldrush will be looking to make a statement in the first of three tournaments.

The Goldrush opens its campaign with games against the Southland Pearls and Palmerston North Storm on June 23. The following day it plays the Waikato Wizards and Nelson Sparks.

The opening tournament will be conclude with finals on June 25.

The WBC then moves to Auckland in July with the finals in Dunedin in early August. 

Women's Basketball Conference (Palmerston North)
Otago Goldrush draw

June 23: v Southland Pearls, 2pm; v Palmerston North Storm, 7pm.
June 24: v Waikato Wizards, 11am; Nelson Sparks, 5pm.
June 25: Finals

Otago Goldrush: Janet Main, Samara Gallaher, Danielle Calnan, Chantelle McKenzie, Renee Johnson, Bella McCallum, Casey Lockwood, Soraya Jensen Umaga, Elise Cassidy, Sophie van Velthooven, Daneka Wipiiti, Jodi Brown.