Manawatu Jets

The Manawatu Jets are a New Zealand basketball team based in Palmerston North. The Jets compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at Arena Manawatu. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the Property Brokers Manawatu Jets.

Manawatu Jets
LeagueNational Basketball League
Founded1982
HistoryPalmerston North Jets
1982; 1985–1987; 1989–2001
Manawatu Jets
2002–2015; 2018–present
ArenaArena Manawatu
LocationPalmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand
Team coloursGreen, white, black
Main sponsorProperty Brokers
PresidentKevin Smith
General managerDarryl June
Head coachTim McTamney
Championships0
Websitethejets.co.nz

Team history

The Palmerston North Lions, as the current Jets were then known, were a foundation member of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1982. After finishing eighth in the eight-team competition, the Lions were relegated to the second-tiered Conference Basketball League (CBL) in 1983. After finishing as CBL runners-up in 1984, they were promoted back into the NBL in 1985. They finished fifth in both 1985 and 1986, but after finishing tenth in the ten-team competition in 1987, the Lions were relegated to the CBL in 1988. The 1988 season saw the Lions win the CBL championship, which saw them promoted back into the NBL in 1989.[1] The Lions were regular season winners in 1989, but despite being the top seed at the finals weekend, they were defeated 92–84 in the semifinal by the Canterbury Rams.[2] In 1992, the Jets reached the NBL final, where they were defeated 79–71 by the Rams.[2] In 2002, the team became known as the Manawatu Jets.[3]

In November 2015, the Jets withdrew from the NBL due to reduced funding and an unsustainable business model.[4][5] In April 2017, the Jets lodged their application to Basketball New Zealand to compete in the 2018 NBL season.[6] Their application was successful, and on 29 August 2017, the Jets were readmitted into the league.[7][8]

In 2020, the Jets reached the NBL final for the second time in their history,[9][10] where they lost 79–77 to the Otago Nuggets.[11][12]

Players

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

Manawatu Jets roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.
G 3 Knight, Daishon (I) 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
G 9 Bezzant, Jayden 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
G 95 Mcqueen, Ashton 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
G McCullough, Nikau 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Head coach
  • Tim McTamney
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (I) Import player
  • Injured
Updated: 3 February 2021

Notable past players

References
  1. Lampp, Peter (13 November 2015). "Historical debt and reduced trust funding forcing Jets to take a season out". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Aside from spells in two seasons in division two in 1983-84 and 1988, Palmerston North has had a team in the first division since it started in 1982.
  2. Egan, Brendon (4 April 2014). "Keith Mair reflects on Rams' halcyon days". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  3. Jets History
  4. Manawatu Jets out of 2016 basketball league
  5. Manawatu Jets Out Of 2016 NBL
  6. Manawatu Jets throw their hat in the ring for 2018
  7. NZ NBL AGREE TO THE RETURN OF MANAWATU JETS IN 2018
  8. Manawatu Jets cleared for takeoff in National Basketball League
  9. Hinton, Marc (30 July 2020). "Sal's NBL Showdown: Otago Nuggets' golden run continues; Manawatu Jets also into final". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  10. Hinton, Marc (31 July 2020). "Sal's NBL Showdown: Soaring Manawatu Jets enjoying life in the hoops fast lane". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  11. "NUGGETS STRIKE GOLD IN SAL'S NBL SHOWDOWN". nznbl.basketball. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  12. Hinton, Marc (1 August 2020). "Sal's NBL Showdown: Otago Nuggets grab first title as they shade Manawatu Jets in thriller". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  13. Hokianga sent off in style, Manawatu turn it on
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