Manawatu Jets

Manawatu Jets
League National Basketball League
Established 1982
History Palmerston North Jets
1982–2001
Manawatu Jets
2002–present
Arena Arena Manawatu
(Capacity: 5,000)
Location Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand
Team colours Green, White, Black
Main sponsor Breakers Cafe Bar
President Richard Hansen
Head coach Darron Larsen
Championships 0
Website TheJets.co.nz
Uniforms
Home
Away

The Manawatu Jets, formerly known as the Palmerston North Jets, are a professional basketball team that play in the New Zealand National Basketball League. They play their home games at Arena Manawatu in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The team boasts several high profile players including former Duke standout Nick Horvath, experienced American guard Brandon Jenkins, New Zealand Breakers development player Jordan Ngatai, and several former or current Tall Blacks such as Jeremiah Trueman. The head coach is Darron Larsen, who is a former Jets player and New Zealand Universities coach.

The team deliver thousands of hours of community basketball coaching each year via programmes to increase interest and participation in basketball. Much of this work is funded through community trusts such as NZCT and Eastern and Central Community Trust.[1]

Current roster

Manawatu Jets roster
Players Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
SG 5 United States Harris, Dion (I) 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
PG 7 New Zealand Fee, Nick 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
PG 8 New Zealand Raukawa, Derone 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
PG 9 New Zealand Ruscoe, Brook 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
10 New Zealand Walker, Haize (DP)
PG 11 United States Jenkins, Brandon (I) 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
12 New Zealand McRae, Callum (DP)
G/F 15 New Zealand Nicklin, Zeb 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
PF 20 New Zealand Ngatai, Jordan 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
C 21 New Zealand Horvath, Nick (C) 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
F/C 25 New Zealand Trueman, Jeremiah 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in)
PF 31 New Zealand Homik, Mike 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in)
SF 33 New Zealand Adams, Sid 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
SF New Zealand Lavey, Bridge 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
New Zealand Snaith, Baylee (DP)
Head coach
  • New Zealand Darron Larsen
Assistant coach(es)
  • New Zealand Miles Pearce
  • New Zealand Ryan Dubbledam
Team manager
  • New Zealand Terry Bristol
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: 21 March 2015

Home ground

The Jets' home stadium is Arena 2, Arena Manawatu, minutes away from the Palmerston North Central Business District. Arena 2 offers first class facilities to spectators, the teams and to the sponsors. With an ability to accommodate up to 5,000 people, Arena 2 comprises an extensive array of convenient features and amenities.[2]

History

2013 season

The 2013 season started with a lot of hope as the roster that previous coach Ryan Weisenberg had pulled together was put in the hands of Mike Kalavros, a Greek coach who inherited the squad weeks before the season's start.[3] Despite holding New Zealand citizenship, Marcel Jones played as the Jets' second import in 2013 along with Chris Hagan, because of a the newly placed league rule where teams can only field one naturalised New Zealand player. Captain Nick Horvath already filled that spot.[4]

Ultimately, the season was a disappointment as the Jets finished fifth and missed the playoffs. A positive came, however, with Horvath being named to the All-Star five.[5] Kalavros departed the Jets prior to the season's conclusion, as assistant coach Darron Larsen took over as head coach for the final games of the season.[6]

2014 season

The Jets started the 2014 season with a new head coach, Darron Larsen, who was returning for his second stint as head coach after having led the team from 2005 to 2007.[7] Early season results did not fall the Jets way, with the injury to centre Nick Horvath proving costly.[8] The team ultimately finished one game short of the playoffs, finishing the season in fifth place with a nine win, nine loss record. The season also marked the final year for veteran guard Kaine Hokianga, who finished his career with 236 NBL games over 14 years, 11 of them with the Jets.[9]

2015 season

The 2015 season started with the announcement of head coach Darron Larsen signing on for another season,[10] providing some stability to the leadership and style of play for the franchise. Player announcements began in early 2015, with powerful big man Nick Horvath the first to commit to the team. Horvath is one of the premier centres to ever play in New Zealand and despite some well publicised injury concerns, remains a force to be reckoned with in the league.[11] Experienced point guard Brandon Jenkins signed on for a second season,[12] while Jets stalwart and former Tall Black Jeremiah Trueman recommitted days later.[13] In the wake of Trueman re-signing, youngster Derone Raukawa was also confirmed as returning.[14] Next came the signings of new youngsters in New Zealand Breakers development player Jordan Ngatai, former Mountainair Sid Adams, former Cairns Taipans development player Brook Ruscoe, and American-born college player Bridge Lavey who is illegible to play as a local due to having a Kiwi mother.[15]

References

  1. ↑ Sports is our business. Community is our Passion
  2. ↑ Venues Palmerston North – Arena 2
  3. ↑ Kalavros heads for NBL's fast lane
  4. ↑ Jones 'staying put' despite overture
  5. ↑ 2013 NBL Final Four
  6. ↑ Kalavros leaves Jets
  7. ↑ Larsen off bench as Jets head coach
  8. ↑ Horvath out of action
  9. ↑ Hokianga sent off in style, Manawatu turn it on
  10. ↑ Larsen agrees to another year as Jets coach
  11. ↑ Jets hoping to heal Horvath
  12. ↑ Jenkins Returning To Jets
  13. ↑ Trueman Returns To Jets
  14. ↑ Horvath’s Status In Doubt For Jets
  15. ↑ Jets Sign Ruscoe and Lavey

External links