New Zealand coach Tab Baldwin has added Erdem Can, his assistant at club side Banvitspor in Turkey, to his staff for the World Championship. Nelson Giants coach Nenad Vucinic is also working with Baldwin.

Baldwin said of Can: "In my estimation, he's an excellent coach and with the Tall Blacks, we always want excellence.

"He obviously understands what is a complex system, having worked with it on a day-to-day basis for 14 months.

"I have absolute trust in him, as I do with Nenad, and Basketball New Zealand has extended me a fantastic opportunity to bring him on board. Back in 2002, it provided a competitive edge over a lot of teams.

"Nenad is a great video analyst and a great accumulator and editor of video information ... a valuable resource for me. Erdem is a tremendous scout of opposition. He has the ability to watch opponents play, break down their system and help me teach to our team so we will be prepared going into each game."

Can said: "There is great chemistry in this team. "Honestly, they have less talent than European teams, but the players are all together out on court and help each other build a great team chemistry."

The Tall Blacks host the Commonwealth champion-Boomers at the Pettigrew Green Arena on Wednesday.

Article courtesy of www.fiba.com