Basketball: Giants abandon Jones bid

The Nelson Giants have been forced to abandon a fight for a change in a National Basketball League (NBL) ruling that has seen international guard Phill Jones sidelined for the season.

Jones recently returned from an off-season contract in Italy and intended to join the Giants for the final four round-robin games and the subsequent playoffs.

However, a rule introduced by the NBL office this season requires players to be available for five games before the start of the playoffs. The rule was designed to prevent teams stacking their side late in the season.

Nelson argued that Jones had last year signalled his intention to return to the Giants, had been on their roster since the start of the campaign and could not have returned any earlier.

It also stated that he had been a marquee performer in the league for 12 seasons and a staunch servant of New Zealand basketball.

The decision not to allow Jones to play for the Giants came through before last Saturday's game against the Harbour Heat.

"I'm really disappointed in BBNZ (Basketball New Zealand)," Jones said.

"It's pretty rank. I've played 12 years in the league and 11 years with the Tall Blacks and shown loyalty to their programmes all the way through.

"I would have thought it was pretty clear I wasn't a ring-in being added late to get the Giants into the semis.

"The main reason I didn't make it back earlier was the fact we have a 10-week-old baby and we were waiting on her passport. It seems I'm being singled out as a test case for this new rule."

Jones said he had considered pulling out of the Tall Blacks camp later this month and from the international season beginning in July, but had since confirmed his commitment.

"I love playing for New Zealand but I would have thought BBNZ would have seen the value in me being in game shape and having my fitness and timing right for the Tall Blacks.

"Instead, I'm looking at a six-week break between Italy and the international season."

Jones will continue to train with Nelson, despite the failure of yesterday's final attempt by the Giants organisation to have him cleared to play.

He said the NBL's head office had stated in correspondence that, after meetings and consultation with a lawyer, it was unable to grant a dispensation and still retain the integrity of its league rules.

"The good thing is that the team won and won well without me last week," Jones said.

"It's clear this is not about a desperate, losing team making one last attempt to get in the playoffs. It's about showing loyalty and being in the best shape I can be to help the Tall Blacks."

Jones has signed for two more years with the Cantu club, which was beaten in the quarterfinals of Italy's A league.

- nzpa