Allen out and Reay in for the Manawatu Jets

American Ronald Allen has been released by the Manawatu Jets after failing to overcome a back injury and former Nelson Giant Chris Reay is set to be added to the roster.

The 2.08-metre Allen struggled after going down at training three days before the Jets' first game of the year and missed their opening-night loss to the Saints.

He played on Saturday in their 42-point defeat to the Bay Hawks but was limited to 12 minutes off the bench and did not appear to be moving freely.

Jets coach Ryan Weisenberg said he took advice from sports medicine specialist Dr Ra Durie.

"We have sent Ronald home," Weisenberg said.

"His back is injured to the point where he wasn't going to play at 100 per cent."

Allen left Palmerston North on Wednesday night and could not be reached for comment, but Weisenberg said it was a tough situation.

"When you lose a six-foot-10 player it's always disappointing with the background he had.

"He was very professional. He did the things we asked of him."

Reay, who debuted for the Tall Blacks in 2004 as a 19-year-old, will not affect the import quota because he has a New Zealand father, so he can play as a Kiwi.

His contract is yet to be signed because the finer points are being discussed but he is likely to be in the country next week from the United States.

The 25-year-old Texan was someone the Jets looked at late last year but he fell out of consideration until Weisenberg called him for a chat.

"Just by fluke I called to see how he was doing a month ago and he said `Look coach, if the offer is still on the table I can be out there March 23'."

Reay originally had not planned on returning to New Zealand after two stints with the Giants but his addition will be a welcome relief to the Jets because he is a strong defender.

Standing at 2.02m, in two games against the Jets last year Reay averaged eight points and seven rebounds.

Reay played college basketball in the US for NCAA division-one school Southern Methodist University before moving to division-two outfit Midwestern State University, where he was more productive.

It leaves the Jets low on height but there are few players taller than 2.03m in the National Basketball League and anyone who plays with hustle and aggression will be competitive at the defensive end.

The Jets are looking at signing another import with a deal possibly being struck today.

Weisenberg could not reveal who was being discussed but was keen to make an announcement as soon as everything was confirmed.

Reay is unlikely to suit up for the Jets' third game of the season against the Harbour Heat next Friday.

Harbour have been one of the hot teams of the competition with comfortable wins over Otago and Southland in the first two rounds.

It is the third game of a nightmare opening stretch where the Jets have had to play the top four teams in their first five matches.

Following their clash against Harbour they travel to Christchurch to take on the Cougars then host defending champions, the Waikato Pistons, on Thursday, April 8, at Arena Manawatu.

Weisenberg said they were still waiting on clearance for former Waikato and Hawke's Bay forward Kevin Smith.

- © Fairfax NZ News