TALL BLACK SUSPENDED FOR CANNABIS USE

Mark Dickel has been suspended from the Tall Blacks' series against
Qatar after testing positive for cannabis use.

The veteran point guard, who did not play in many of the Tall Blacks
recent games due to a knee problem, was randomly tested after one of
the Tall Blacks' matches against Australia in Napier last month and
his "A" sample has produced a positive result, Basketball New Zealand
said in a statement this morning.

Dickel has admitted to the offence and accepted violating the Tall
Blacks' team code.

"We encourage the Tall Blacks to act as role models for young Kiwis
and this is clearly not what we stand for," coach Tab Baldwin said.
"From our point of view, it is extremely disappointing."

"Mark knows he has let a lot of people down and must now face the
consequences."

Dickel will take no active part in the series against Qatar that tips
off tonight in Dunedin and concludes in Invercargill on Sunday.

They are the Tall Blacks' last matches before the world championships
start in Japan next weekend.