HoopsHype.com Rumors

New Zealand Breakers and Tall Blacks basketball star Tom Abercrombie is off to the United States for a "now-or-never" crack at an NBA contract. Abercombie flies out of Auckland tomorrow for mini-camp opportunities with NBA franchises the San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks. The Spurs currently lead the NBA finals 1-0 and feature former Tall Blacks captain Sean Marks as a key executive. Stuff.co.nz

Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, New Zealand, Sean Marks, Tom Abercrombie 

Crucially, Abercrombie has also been invited to play for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA's summer league in Las Vegas - the premier showcase for fresh talent in the big league's off-season. Stuff.co.nz

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Summer League, Tom Abercrombie 

Coach Dean Vickerman says they've had Tom Abercrombie working hard over the last month for a shot at the NBA. "He's preparing that he's going. We've put an NBA line down on the floor. We've got NBA balls and he's training as if he's going over to play in their Summer League but it may happen this year it may not happen this year." Abercrombie, like others, has a clause in his contract allowing him to explore options in the NBA. Newstalk ZB

Free Agency, Summer League, Tom Abercrombie 

Tom Abercrombie: "My dream is to play in the NBA and I work hard so that dream comes true. Of course, I would never reject a good offer from Europe." Zona Dos Tres

Free Agency, Euroleague, Australia, Tom Abercrombie 

New Zealand Breakers jumping jack Tom Abercrombie has the NBA summer leagues lined up in August if the Tall Blacks do not make the London Olympics. TVNZ

Free Agency, Summer League, Tom Abercrombie 

(Abercrombie) will look to pursue his NBA dream this northern summer showcasing his skills in the American summer leagues where players can get picked up by clubs for a shot at the big time. TVNZ

Free Agency, Summer League, Tom Abercrombie 

Abercrombie has a get-out clause in his Breakers contract if the NBA comes calling. "I want to make it there and am not worried if it takes a few years. Time is on my side." TVNZ

Free Agency, Summer League, Tom Abercrombie 

New Zealand Breakers jumping jack Tom Abercrombie has the NBA summer leagues lined up in August if the Tall Blacks do not make the London Olympics. Abercrombie, 24, was in Christchurch yesterday for a fundraising lunch and last night spoke at the Mid-Canterbury sportsman of the year awards in Ashburton. He will look to pursue his NBA dream this northern summer showcasing his skills in the American summer leagues where players can get picked up by clubs for a shot at the big time. TVNZ

Summer League, New Zealand, Tom Abercrombie 

Swingman Tom Abercrombie has waived his 'out clause' for the new season, and will suit up for the Breakers for another campaign, for now turning down the lure of Europe. Abercrombie did have the option to pursue a contract in Europe or indeed the NBA but has decided to stay with the North Shore based club, a decision that has delighted his coach Andrej Lemanis. "Obviously it is pleasing to get a player of Tom's ability back in a Breakers singlet," said Lemanis. "He is a player that has been with us for some years now and has developed each season. His impact on the league and the club is considerable, as was seen with him being named Grand Finals MVP this season, for him to continue his journey with us for another year is exciting." TVNZ

Tom Abercrombie 

Word is Penney and Abercrombie are both keen to expand their hoops horizons and take their talents to Europe or even the NBA if the big boys will have them. Penney gave it a tilt with the Spurs this season, but came up short; while Abercrombie is enticed by the lure of the major leagues in Europe. Penney, it's said, is contemplating one last shot at the big time as he continues to have his NBA ambitions thwarted. Stuff.co.nz

Australia, Europe, Kirk Penney, Tom Abercrombie 

NZ Breakers and Tall Blacks star Tom Abercrombie says Australian speculation around NBA interest in his services is news to him. During Sunday night's televised game between the Breakers and Kings in Sydney, commentator and Aussie hoops legend Andrew Gaze claimed the Houston Rockets were looking closely at the spring-heeled Kiwi small forward. Abercrombie, 23, first popped up on international scouts' radars after some outstanding performances for the Tall Blacks at the world championships in Turkey earlier this year. Stuff.co.nz

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Tom Abercrombie 

Abercrombie said today that if the Rockets were interested in him they were yet to spell that out to his agent whom he admitted was talking to several interested clubs with an eye to the future. "It was the first I'd heard of it," shrugged Abercrombie after the first day of preparations for Thursday's visit from the red-hot Cairns Taipans. "There are a few teams out there who kinda have me on their radar, but that's just what happens. Stuff.co.nz

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Tom Abercrombie 

Breakers swingman Tom Abercrombie is surprised to hear his name mentioned as an NBA target. Burger King Breakers forward Tom Abercrombie is pleasantly surprised to be on the radar of NBA team the Houston Rockets. Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze says a friend of his is a scout at the Rockets and has been making a number of enquiries about Abercrombie. Newstalk ZB

Houston Rockets, Tom Abercrombie