The ultimate giant is back in the mix again

When Basketball New Zealand Hall of Famer Phill Jones was looking for a fresh coaching challenge this year, he turned the clock back.

Phill has rejoined the NBS Nelson Giants, which he first played for in 1993, going on to appear in a record 408 NBL matches.

In his final season, 2017, he also doubled as assistant coach.

“But it was only for a couple of games after the club and the head coach parted ways,” explains Phill.

He had a second stint in 2019 when Michael Fitchett became head coach and the pair are now reuniting, with Phill back as an assistant.

The ANZ mobile mortage manager enjoyed plenty of success coaching at Waimea College, but, with his son Hayden completing his schooling, Phill reckons it was time for him to move on as well.

“I was keen to stay in coaching and in contact with Hayden, and the Giants was a good opportunity that came along,”
says Phill.

The chance arose with assistant coach Ben Sheat leaving the club. The 51-year-old aims to encourage his players to shoot more rather than pass up on scoring opportunities.

“I want to see more threes.”

He says the Giants are quite a young and enthusiastic group this season.

“I think they will play hard and if they can get a roll on, will be fun to watch,” declares the club’s former general manager and director of operations.

The NBS Nelson Giants won eight of their 20 games last year to finish sixth in pool play and were then beaten in the first round of the play-offs.

Big men are all important in the Sal’s NBL competition, and this year Phill insists the Giants have a bit of size all over the court.

Short-term, Brisbane Bullets recruit Callum Dalton and American Brice Johnson are both listed as 2.08 metres.

The Giants also have three other players in the 1.98 to 2m range, including Hayden Jones.

“Hayden may only be with the club until June if he makes the Junior Tall Blacks. Then he is off to the Wisconsin Badgers,” confirms Phill.

The side has a tough start to the new season, travelling to Christchurch to face the defending league champions, the Canterbury Rams, this Sunday.