Remaining as head coach of the Tall Blacks was a priority for Paul Henare when job offers flowed in.
Henare will join Dean Vickerman's Melbourne United as an assistant coach, returning to the Australian basketball league after leaving the Breakers.
He says it was vital he could do both.
"This is a really good opportunity to be in a high performance environment for five months, and it will be really beneficial not just for me personally as a coach, but for the Tall Blacks as well."
He says he doesn't view it as a step down.
"For me, I'm just fulfilling a role and really respecting as a person and a coach, and I just see I have a responsibility to help them and help the team succeed."
Henare flies out to Melbourne tonight.
LISTEN TO PAUL HENARE TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE

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