Jeter 'destined' to join Jets

MURRAY WILSON

AMERICAN MUSCLE: Manawatu Jets imports Ronald Allen, left, and new coach Ryan Weisenberg, centre, alongside Richard Jeter.

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Manawatu Jets import Richard Jeter has played in different leagues throughout the world but says when he got the opportunity to come to Palmerston North, he felt like he was destined to play there.

The 29-year-old guard, who was drafted by the LA Lakers in 2003, has played in Ukraine, Russia, Germany, the Philippines, Puerto Rico and most recently in the Dominican Republic.

"I think it was meant for me to come here," he said.

"I spoke about this region a lot last year and when I heard about it this year I just took the opportunity. I feel like I'm meant to be here."

Jeter was presented with the opportunity to come to New Zealand via Laurian Watkins who manages fellow import Ronald Allen and new coach Ryan Weisenberg through Pro Skills Sports Management.

Most likely to line up at shooting guard or small forward, Jeter will provide some strong offence for the McDonalds Manawatu Jets this year. But unlike last season's import, Marcel Jones, he has no problem passing the ball.

"My goal is for everyone on the team to be a [scoring] threat and for everyone to be happy.

"At the end of the year I want everyone to say they want to come back and play again."

Aside from playing around the world, Jeter was on the Memphis Grizzlies roster after being traded by the Lakers.

He was cut from the Grizzlies but also worked out with the Toronto Raptors and the Orlando Magic and played summer league basketball for them.

Allen is a 2.08m power forward who will bring size and muscle to the lineup. He was impressed with the New Zealand players the Jets have on their roster after the team's first training camp in Masterton on the weekend.

"They were much more skilled than I expected and that's not to say anything bad about New Zealand, but I've just been to situations where they pass the import the ball and stand back.

"They're great guys off the court, they all got my jokes," he laughed.

The 25-year-old played in the NBA development league for the Anaheim Arsenal last year and worked out with the Reno Bighorns before leaving training camp after the birth of his first child.

Allen has a degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati and also played college basketball at Xavier in Louisiana before Hurricane Katrina forced him to transfer.

The two imports make up the major signings by the Jets who have also lured Wellingtonians Calum MacLeod and Matt Te Huna north and they'll commute to train with the team.

MacLeod is a 2.16m centre who has played college basketball for Valparaiso in the United States.

Weisenberg said MacLeod was a great asset for the team.

"I think he's going to fit in really nicely, especially with Ronald and the size we have. When you add any seven-footer to a team it's not a bad thing," he said.

The Jets have confirmed the re-signings of five players from last season and were hoping to confirm the signatures of Piers Finch, former Jet Adrian Torrie and Callum Brock in the coming week.

- © Fairfax NZ News