Launceston Tornadoes will be without import Stella Beck for possibly five games.
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The sizeable chunk of absence from the remaining nine club games in the NBL1 roster comes after a late call-up to the Kiwi's national side to cover for an injury.
Beck will head to China this weekend for New Zealand's Asia 3x3 cup world qualifiers.
"I was so excited when I got the news and a little bit nervous that I had to miss some games, but it's an awesome opportunity," Beck said.
"It's always an honour to represent New Zealand, but at 3x3 level it's something I haven't necessarily done before. So that's a massive thing for me to be chosen to go to this tournament."
Beck will first miss the road trip to face Ballarat Rush and the Centre of Excellence.
But the 23-year-old trialed with the Tall Ferns in April and was told she is in line for a Japan and Taiwan tour that would include standing out of further Tornadoes games.
"It was something that we talked about when I first signed," Beck said, "and I'm really lucky that the Torns are so accommodating and so enthusiastic about me representing my country."
Beck does not think she is leaving the Torns starting five shallow at her preferred small or power forward roles.
Derrick Washington has stated his side's poor start would improve once the coach's players all returned.
"I think anyone on the team can fill that role. My job as a four or sometimes a three, people have come in and played really well in those positions," Beck said.
New Zealand, who are pooled with Australia and China, return to the Asia 3x3 as the defending champions.