Basketball: Kiwi coach Ross McMains gets NBA gig

Ross McMains while coaching for the Taranaki Mountain Airs. Photo / Photosport

New Zealand has another representative in the NBA, and he'll be joining one of the league's biggest franchises.

28-year-old Ross McMains has earned a role with the New York Knicks, where he will be the Head Video Coordinator and work in player development alongside new head coach David Fizdale.

He is part of an exclusive club of New Zealanders to have cracked the NBA. Only three have ever played in a NBA game – Sean Marks, Kirk Penney and Steven Adams, while Marks has spent time as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs and now resides as the Brooklyn Nets' general manager.

McMains, who had a brief stint working with the Sacramento Kings as a player development coach in 2012, now has his foot firmly in the NBA door, following a rise through the second-tier G League.

A season as assistant coach with the Westchester Knicks proved crucial for McMains, with the team compiling a 32-18 record, and having four players getting call-ups to the NBA. As a result of their success, McMains got his own call-up to the big leagues.

"The G League is the only league in the world that you go to technically to get the heck out as fast as you can," he jokes.

"Everyone is trying to move up to the NBA or get to Europe or get that higher paying job. I've got the opportunity - so I'm excited about that."

Goal accomplished for McMains, but before he takes over his new role, he has a job to do in New Zealand.

McMains is linking back up with the Tall Blacks as an assistant coach to Paul Henare, ahead of their two World Cup qualifying games against Hong Kong and China, and is extremely enthusiastic about the opportunity.

"New Zealand is home for me, when I am representing and coaching New Zealand there is no other part of my coaching life that I am more passionate about, this connects with my heart and my soul more than anything. I'm really excited to be back."