“When we knew we were going to be in New York with the All Whites and connecting with key stakeholders in preparation of next year’s World Cup, it presented a great opportunity to meet with Sean, who is operating at the very top of the game in one of the world’s biggest sporting leagues.
“It was incredible to be shown around their training facility to see all of the aspects that go into producing an elite professional basketball team. It was a great and educational experience as we continue to strive to deliver a best-in-class set-up for our own high performance teams.”
Ryan Nelsen (left) with Andrew Pragnell (centre) and Sean Marks.
Marks is arguably the most successful basketball player to come from New Zealand. He was the first New Zealand-born player to play in the NBA and part of the Tall Blacks team that finished fourth at the 2002 world champs.
While his role in the NBA was minor on the court, he was part of the 2005 NBA-champion San Antonio Spurs team, while he added another title in 2014 while serving as an assistant coach to the team.
He has been the GM of the Nets since 2016.
In addition to visiting the Nets’ facilities, Pragnell and Nelsen met with key stakeholders involved in planning next year’s World Cup. They also spoke at a “flat white meet-up” at a Rodd & Gunn store in the city, to connect with Kiwi entrepreneurs and business people in New York.
The All Whites will find out their World Cup opponents when the draw for the event takes place at 6am, on December 6 (NZT). The tournament runs from June 12-July 20.
[**Ben Francis**](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/author/ben-francis/) **is an Auckland-based reporter for the** _**New Zealand Herald**_ **who covers breaking sports news.**