Manawatu Jets

Manawatu Jets
Main sponsor	McDonalds
League	New Zealand National Basketball League
Established	1982
History	Palmerston North Jets 1982-2001 Manawatu Jets 2002-present
Arena	Arena Manawatu (Capacity: 4,500)
Location	Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand
Head coach	Ryan Weisenberg
Colours	Green, White, Black and Yellow
Website	McDonaldsJets.co.nz
Uniforms
Home Away

The Manawatu Jets, formerly referred to 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 biggest signed import to play for the Jets was Brandon Payton, brother of former NBA player Gary Payton. The main sponsor of the Jets is McDonalds and since the 2009 season, have been named the McDonalds Manawatu Jets. Other significant sponsors include: Property Brokers, More FM, Kooga, Manawatu Toyota, Manawatu Standard, City Fitness, Tony's Tyre Service, Computer Care, Inspire Net, Massey University, Freedom Print and Design, RICOH, Hotel Coachman, South Canterbury Finance, Xpotential and eTheory.

The team is coached by former LA Sparks and Houston Comets coach, Ryan Weisenberg; furthermore, he was a scout for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1999-2005. Weisenberg owns three NBA championship rings, two WNBA championship rings, and is one of only two people, alongside Bill Laimbeer, to win NBA and WNBA championship rings in the same year.

Current squad

Manawatu Jets rosterSG		5	NZL !	Hokianga, Kaine	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
1.0 !PG	7	NZL !	Hagan, Chris	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
2.0 !SG	9	NZL !	O'Connell, Josh	1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
2.0 !SG	10	NZL !	Lambert, Stacey	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
2.0 !SG	11	NZL !	Bailey, Duane	1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
4.5 !PF	14	NZL !	Homik, Mike	2.04 m (6 ft 8 in)
1.5 !G	15	NZL !	Te Huna, Matt	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
5.5 !F/C	21	USA !	Horvath, Nick	2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
1.0 !PG	22	NZL !	Funnell, Logan	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
2.0 !SG	23	NZL !	Anderson, Ben	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
5.5 !F/C	25	NZL !	Trueman, Jeremiah	2.06 m (6 ft 9 in)
1.0 !PG	41	NZL !	Cleaver, Tim	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
2.5 !G/F	45	USA !	Hudson, Darryl	1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
6.0 !C	- -	NZL !	Pearce, Miles	2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)

Head coach

• Ryan Weisenberg

Assistant Coaches

• Dave Craig
• Callum Brock

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Legend

• (C) Team captain

Coaching staff

• Ryan Weisenberg (Head Coach)
• David Craig (Assistant Coach)
• Kent Mori (Assistant Coach)
• Michelle Swain (Assistant Coach)
• Ryan Dubbeldam (Video Analyst/Apprentice coach)
• Terry Bristol (Team Manager)
• Pat Murray (Team Manager)

Home ground

The McDonald's Manawatu 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. Facilities include indoor seating for up to 4,500 spectators, top class playing showcourt of national competition standard, fantastic changing facilities and a spectacular view from the various corporate lounges.

External links

• Official site of the McDonalds Manawatu Jets
• Weisenberg confirmed as head coach
• Arena Manawatu Official Website
• Palmerston North City Official Website
• Basketball New Zealand Official Website