| Manawatu Jets | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| League | NZNBL | ||
| Founded | 1982 | ||
| History | Palmerston North Jets 1982; 1985–1987; 1989–2001 Manawatu Jets 2002–2015; 2018–present | ||
| Arena | Central Energy Trust Arena | ||
| Location | Palmerston North, Manawatū, New Zealand | ||
| Team colours | Green, white, black | ||
| Main sponsor | Property Brokers | ||
| General manager | Darryl June | ||
| Head coach | Natu Taufale | ||
| Ownership | Basketball Manawatu Property Brokers | ||
| Championships | 0 | ||
| Retired numbers | 1 (12)[1] | ||
| Website | thejets.co.nz | ||
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The Manawatu Jets are a New Zealand professional men's basketball team based in Palmerston North. The Jets compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at Central Energy Trust Arena. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as the Property Brokers Manawatu Jets.
The Palmerston North Jets were a foundation member of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1982. After finishing eighth in the eight-team competition, the Jets 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 Jets were relegated to the CBL in 1988. The 1988 season saw the Jets win the CBL championship, which saw them promoted back into the NBL in 1989.[2] The Jets 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.[3] In 1992, the Jets reached the NBL final, where they were defeated 79–71 by the Rams.[3] In 2002, the team became known as the Manawatu Jets.[4]
In November 2015, the Jets withdrew from the NBL due to reduced funding and an unsustainable business model.[5][6] In April 2017, the Jets lodged their application to Basketball New Zealand to compete in the 2018 NBL season.[7] Their application was successful, and on 29 August 2017, the Jets were readmitted into the league.[8][9]
In 2020, the Jets reached the NBL final for the second time in their history,[10][11] where they lost 79–77 to the Otago Nuggets.[12][13]
Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.
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Updated: 15 May 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ed Book / Tony Brown / Tyrone Brown / Willie Burton
David Cooper Brad Davidson Chris Hagan Kaine Hokianga[14] / Nick Horvath / James Hunter / Marcel Jones / Luke Martin DeWayne McCray Kent Mori Mika Vukona Josh Pace Miles Pearce Brendon Polyblank Dylan Rigdon Jamil Terrell Jeremiah Trueman Rob TuilaveAside 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.
