Basketball: Colourful coach to make return

Four-time National Basketball League champion coach Jeff Green will be on a tight leash when he makes his surprise return to the top level in June.

Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) today announced Green's appointment as the Emerging Tall Blacks (under-21) head coach for an Oceania tournament in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, from June 21-27.

Green, 50, has been a colourful and often controversial figure throughout his coaching career - his last international post being with the New Zealand Maori men's team in 2002.

"We're aware some may consider this a big call," BBNZ national teams general manager Grant Chapman said.

"Ultimately, Jeff got the job because he has an outstanding record in all domestic levels of the game, from the NBL to the age-groups, and we're curious to see how he does at an international level.

"But Basketball New Zealand expects a high standard of conduct from its national teams and Jeff knows his future in the programme is in his own hands."

Green's appointment is only for the Oceania tournament, where New Zealand will send under-21 development men's and women's teams to compete against other Oceania region national senior teams.

"I'm elated to get this opportunity," Green said.

"I think I've done my penance and like Lazarus, I'm living again.

"I will take this opportunity and give it everything I have. I hope to show the powers that be that I deserve this chance and also show my basketball prowess as a national coach."

Green, the New Zealand Breakers' first coach in the Australian NBL in 2003, coached Hutt Valley to NBL titles in 1991 and 1993, and the Waikato Titans to back-to-back championships in 2001-02.

He last coached in the national league in 2003, taking the Titans within overtime of a third straight title.

In recent years, Green has become more active in national age-group tournaments, taking Hamilton's Fraser High to the 2008 AA secondary schools national championships final.

Counties Manukau's Tania Hunter, the 2008 Junior Tall Ferns assistant coach, will guide the Emerging Tall Ferns at the same Oceania tournament.

- NZPA