Javion Blake (Import)

Position: Guard

Height: 190cm

Born: 12 July, 1997

High School: Olathe East High School, Kansas

Previous NBL clubs – Rookie

Played for Atenas Cordoba in the 2022-23 Argentinian League

His professional career has also taken him to Australia, Denmark, Czech Republic, Mexico and Rumania.

Played 116 NCAA Division II games at Washburn University (2015-2019). Averaged double figure scoring in all four years.

Following university made his professional debut in the Western Australia State League playing for Kalamunda Eastern Suns in 2019.

Won a Mexican League title with Astros de Jalisco in 2022.

Tu Kaha Cooper

Position: Guard

Height: 190cm

Born: 14 May, 2002

Junior Association: Northland

High School: Whangarei Boys High School

Previous NBL clubs – Manawatu Jets (2021-present)

In his second  season with the Jets in 2022 he played 16 games averaging 4.9ppg.

Named to the Tournament Team at both the 2021 U23 and U19 National Championships playing for his native Northland.

Helped Whangarei Boys High School reach the Secondary Schools National Championships in 2019 after an absence of over a decade.

Lachlan Crate

Tama Faamausili

Position: Guard

Height: 186cm

Born: 28 March, 2000

Junior Association: Manawatu

High School: Palmerston North Boys High School

Previous NBL clubs – Manawatu Jets (2022)

Played 16 games for the Jets in 2022 – his debut season – averaging 4.0ppg.

Played for Wellington at the 2021 U23 National Championships.

Played for NZ at the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup in Crete.

Mustapha Heron (Import)

Position: Guard

Height: 196cm

Born: 12 December, 1997

High School: Sacred Heart High School, Connecticut

Previous NBL clubs – Rookie

A 5-star recruit to Auburn University (NCAA Division I) in 2016. Scored in double figures in every game but one in his freshman year.

Transferred to St John’s University for his final two collegiate years. Averaged 13.8 points per game in his senior year.

Has since played in the United Kingdom, Hungary, Iceland and most recently Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA G League where he averaged 7.7 points per game in 37 games.

In the UK he played for Leicester Raiders, the 2021 British League regular season champions.

Josh Leger

Position: Forward

Height: 203cm

Born: 21 March, 2001

Junior Association: Auckland/Counties Manukau

High School: Mt Albert Grammar School

Previous NBL Clubs – Nelson Giants (2020-21), Franklin Bulls (2022)

Played 16 games for the Bulls in 2022 averaging 3 points and 3 rebounds per game.

Leger was initially signed by the Bulls as a Development Player in 2020 but an injury crisis at Nelson Giants saw him added to the Giants roster for that season.

Leger formed a formidable ‘Twin Towers’ front court at Mt Albert Grammar in 2019 playing alongside Nate Wilson on a team that won bronze at the 2019 Secondary School National Championships under Coach Daryl Cartwright.

He is a cousin of Tall Ferns Krystal and Charlisse Leger-Walker.

Marcel Jones

Liam Judd

Position: Forward

Height: 196cm

Born: 27 July, 2001

Junior Association: Waitakere West

High School: Rangitoto College

Previous NBL clubs – Rookie

Liam Judd was on the Franklin Bulls books in 2021 but didn’t make an appearance.

Played for Auckland Tuatara in the 2022 Schick 3×3 Cup.

Also played for U23 National Championship Grand Finalists North Harbour in 2022. Named to the Tournament Team after scoring 23 points in the Grand Final loss to Taranaki.

Simon Lafaele

Position: Forward

Height: 198cm

Born: 22 July, 2000

Junior Association: Canterbury

High School: St John’s College, Hamilton

Previous NBL Clubs – Rookie

Played for the Airs at the 2022 Schick 3×3 Cup.

Also in 2022 played for Ram.EXE (from Lincoln University) that qualified for an international 3×3 tournament in Japan – all expenses paid!

Named to the Tournament Team at the 2018 Secondary Schools National Championships after standout performances for St John’s College.

Pafe Momoisea

Position: Guard

Height: 190cm

Born: 29 July, 1999

Junior Association: Counties Manukau

High School: Manurewa High School

Previous NBL clubs – Otago Nuggets (2021), Manawatu Jets (2022)

Played all 18 games for the Jets in 2022 averaging 5.9 ppg and 2.8 assists. Scored a career high 14 points against the Rams in May’22.

Following high school he spent a season playing at Coker College in the USA.

Played for NZ Select at the Schick 3×3 Cup in 2020.

He came through the Counties Manukau and GI (Glenn Innes) Rise club programme under coaches Josiah and Sione Maama.

Danny Pippen II (Import)

Position: Forward

Height: 206cm

Born: 12 November, 1997

High School: Allen Academy, Michigan

Previous NBL clubs – Rookie

Played the 2022-23 European season for Lapuan Kobrat in the Finnish League having previously played in the NBA G League for Maine Celtics and Greensboro Swarm.

His season in the Finnish League was his first overseas contract.

Played 4 years at Kent State University (NCAA Division I) making 110 appearances for the Golden Flashes before graduating in 2021. Averaged 19.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in his senior year.

Campbell Scott

Position: Guard

Height: 188cm

Born: 10 March, 2004

Junior Association: Manawatu

High School: Fielding High School

Previous NBL clubs – Southland Sharks (2022)

Scott was a Development Player for the Southland Sharks in 2022 – played 2 games.

Played for Manawatu at 2021 U17 National Championships.

Klein Salmon

Position: Forward

Height: 194cm

Born: 21 July, 2000

Junior Association: Porirua

High School: Mana College

Previous NBL clubs – (Manawatu Jets (2022 – present)

Played all 18 games for the Jets in 2022 averaging 4.7 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Scored a career high 12 points against the Jets.

A member of the Porirua team that won the 2021 Under 23 National Championship.

A 2022 New Zealand 3×3 trialist.

Jackson Stent

Position: Forward

Height: 203cm

Born: 2 October, 1997

Junior Association: Canterbury

High School: Westlake Boys HS/Middleton Grange

Previous NBL clubs – Canterbury Rams (2015 and 2022)

Played 7 games for the Rams in 2021 before suffering a season ending shoulder injury.

Played at Nicholls State University and Casper College before completing his collegiate time at Houston Baptist University (NCAA Division I) from 2018-20 playing 54 games for the Huskies.

In the 2021-22 season Stent was Graduate Manager – Operations at Houston Baptist.

Natu Taufale (Head Coach)

Matt Te Huna (Assistant Coach)

Tia Frost (Assistant Coach)