Tall Blacks veteran Kirk Penney will be trying to entice New Zealand's sole NBA player, Sean Marks out of retirement for next year's basketball world champs in Turkey.
The draw will be made tonight, with New Zealand seeded alongside China, Asian champions Iran and African champions Angola, on the fifth tier of six.
It means they won't play any of those sides in pool play but will face one of the top four in Olympic gold medalists USA, defending world Spain, Argentina or Greece.
Penney says while there are several talented players coming through, in the likes of Alex Pledger and Tom Abercrombie, being able to call on the experience of Marks would be a boost.
