19th February 2025

Fresh through the regional arrivals at Fly Palmy, we're excited to welcome another local hooper back, Hikaia Lambert, to the Property Brokers Jets for '25!

6'5 small forward Lambert has been on the youth hoops scene for a few years now, and after getting his first taste of the NBL last season, he's back and hungry for another round.

"I am so glad that Hikaia has decided to return to The Jets. I love his physicality and the way he attacks the basket," says Coach Webster about Hikaia re-signing for another season with The Jets.

A student at Manukura School in Palmerston North, Hikaia, has been making plenty of noise since he first stepped foot on the court. His talents were evident, and he was selected to participate in the Steven Adams Basketball camp in 2022. From there, he was selected to represent Manukura at tournaments, leading to his representing Manawatu at multiple national competitions. Hikaia received the MVP award in the U15 Junior Secondary Schools Premiership Tournaments and made the All-Star Five. He then represented Manawatu in the U17/U16 NZ National Men's team reserve.

As well as making his debut in The Jets in 2024, Lambert also represented Manawatu in the Basketball New Zealand TUPU League Men's Final under coach Tiatoa Temata-Frost. Hikaia is known for his strong leadership on the court and ability to think on his feet to support his teammates during plays.

"Last year was hard playing against some of the best talent in the country, but at the same time, it was a great experience, and a few friendships were formed, which makes me excited for the upcoming season," says Hikaia about the upcoming season.

Back in green for 2025 and representing Palmy, we're looking forward to seeing Hikaia shine during his second season in the league, continue to grow under the guidance of Coach Webster and his more experienced teammates, and be an integral part of our squad.

We can't wait to see Hikaia back in action on the court this season and watch him soar in The Hangar!

Free agency for the 2025 Sal's NBL season is currently in play, and as we lock in our roster for 2025, we have some exciting announcements to come. Keep up to date with all the latest Jets news by following us on our socials @jetsbasketballnz on Instagram, Facebook, and X.  

About Property Brokers Jets:

At the heart of Jets Basketball is community. As one of the eight founding teams of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1982, the Jets have proudly represented the Manawatū region. Over the years, the team has reached two NBL finals, in 1992 and 2020. Originally known as the Palmerston North Jets, the team expanded its regional focus and rebranded to the Manawatū Jets in 2002. Despite a brief hiatus in 2015, the Jets made a successful return to the league in 2018, reigniting their commitment to the sport and the community.

Today, the Jets’ vision extends beyond the court. It's about fostering a love for basketball and providing opportunities for kids across Manawatū. Whether they're playing in schoolyards, local playgrounds, or competitions at the Arena, our mission is to open doors for every child who dreams of reaching the highest level of the sport. At the Property Brokers Jets, we’re not just building a team; we’re building a future for the next generation of basketball players.