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Pero CameronBasketball player, New Zealand national team forward
Country:
 New Zealand |
Content:
Biography of Pero Cameron
Professional Basketball CareerPero Cameron is a former basketball player and coach from New Zealand. He played as a forward for the New Zealand national team and was the captain of the New Zealand Tall Blacks from 2000 to 2010. He led New Zealand to the semifinals of the FIBA World Championship in 2002, earning a place on the All-Tournament team. Cameron began his career playing for Mobil Marters Northland in the Conference Basketball League in the late 1980s and early 1990s, winning a championship in 1991. In 1992, he joined the New Zealand National Basketball League, playing for the Waikato Warriors. Throughout his career, Cameron won 11 championships and was named the Kiwi MVP five times.
Cameron also played in the Australian National Basketball League for the New Zealand Breakers and Gold Coast Blaze. He spent five seasons in the ANBL, averaging 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
Additionally, Cameron played overseas for several teams, including the Ipoh Red Eagles in Malaysia, Chester Jets in England, Banvit in Turkey, and Mahram Tehran in Iran.
International Career
Cameron represented New Zealand in international competitions, starting with his selection to the Tall Blacks in 1994. He became the team's captain in 2000 and led them to the semifinals of the FIBA World Championship in 2002. Cameron's performance in the tournament earned him a place on the All-Tournament team, alongside NBA superstars Dirk Nowitzki and Peja Stojakovic. He represented New Zealand in two Olympic Games (Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004) and three FIBA World Championships (2002, 2006, and 2010). In August 2017, Cameron became the first New Zealander to be inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Cameron began his coaching career with the Wellington Saints in 2010. In his first year, he led the Saints to their sixth NBL championship and was named Coach of the Year. He continued to coach the Saints for two more seasons before joining the coaching staff of the Gold Coast Blaze as an assistant. Cameron later became the head coach of the Waikato Pistons and led them to the NBL championship in 2014.
In December 2019, Cameron was appointed as the head coach of the New Zealand national team, the Tall Blacks. He was reappointed for a three-year term in September 2021. Cameron has also worked as a coach for the Taranaki Airs and Brisbane Bullets.
Personal Life
Cameron's mother, Mata, is of Maori descent and a former representative of New Zealand. His father is Scottish. His sister, Jodi, represented New Zealand in the high jump at the 2004 Athens Olympics. His brother, Ray, played for the Waikato Titans/Pistons. Cameron and his wife, Jannelle, have three children. His sons, Tobias and Flynn, have represented New Zealand in international basketball competitions.
