The Canterbury Rams are a New Zealand professional men's basketball team based in Christchurch. The Rams compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) and play their home games at Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre. For sponsorship reasons, they are known as The Wheeler Motor Canterbury Rams.
Team history The Canterbury Rams were a foundation member of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1982. Between 1986 and 1994, the Rams made the NBL final seven times, winning championships in 1986, 1989, 1990 and 1992. Import players Kenny Perkins, Clyde Huntley, Eddie Anderson and Angelo Hill were central to the success of the Rams, as was the New Zealand core of John "Dutchie" Rademakers, Gilbert Gordon, Andy Bennett, Graham Timms, John Hill, Ian Webb, Glen Denham and Ralph Lattimore. The architects of this success were coaches Garry Pettis, who led the team from 1986 to 1988, and Keith Mair, who took over in 1989. In 1999, the Rams made their eighth NBL final under coach Bert Knops, where they lost to the Auckland Rebels.
In 2000, Dr John Watson took over the Rams organisation from the cash-strapped Canterbury Basketball Association (CBA). His takeover of the team created some deep divisions within the basketball community. In 2006, the CBA signed a three-year management contract with Watson. In December 2008, after the CBA advised Watson that they would not be completing the third year of the contract, the Rams withdrew from the NBL, with the Christchurch Cougars taking their place in the 2009 NBL season. The Cougars lasted just two seasons after withdrawing on the eve of the 2011 season due to the Christchurch earthquake.
In November 2013, the Canterbury Rams were granted re-entry into NBL under the leadership of Christchurch businessman Andrew Harrison,Canterbury Rams to make NBL return in 2014Harrison targets defence as key for new Rams making their return during the 2014 NBL season.Saints deny Rams in Christchurch
In 2016, the Rams were regular season winners for the first time since 1993Team spirit driving Canterbury Rams' success – McKenzie Moore and made their first playoff appearance since 2002,Rams sign up Knops where they lost in the semi-final to the Super City Rangers.Canterbury Rams coach rules out semi-final nerves after NBL exitSeason review: Canterbury Rams set for bright National Basketball League future
In 2023, the Rams reached their first NBL final since 1999 behind the likes of Troy Baxter Jr., Tevin Brown and Corey Webster. They won their fifth championship and first since 1992 with a 93–82 win over the Auckland Tuatara.
In 2024, the Rams returned to the NBL final, where they once again defeated the Auckland Tuatara 102–87 behind Australian centre Lachlan Olbrich, the league MVP and grand final MVP. Olbrich contributed 29 points, 18 rebounds, and six assists in the final, while US forward KJ Buffen added 21 points on 8-9 shooting.
In February 2026, it was announced that the Rams would relocate from Cowles Stadium to the brand-new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre.
Honour roll NBL Championships: 6 (1986, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2023, 2024) NBL Playoff appearances: 20 (1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026) NBL Grand Final appearances: 10 (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2023, 2024) Most Valuable Player: McKenzie Moore (2016), Lachlan Olbrich (2024) Kiwi MVP: John Rademakers (1984), Terrence Lewis (2002), Marcel Jones (2016) All-Star Five: Clyde Huntley (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987), Eddie Anderson (1991), Terrence Lewis (2002), John Whorton (2002), McKenzie Moore (2016), Marcel Jones (2016, 2017), Winston Shepard (2018), Cameron Gliddon (2019), Tevin Brown (2023), Lachlan Olbrich (2024), Taylor Britt (2024, 2026), Sean Macdonald (2025), Tamenang Choh (2026) Most Outstanding Guard: Clyde Huntley (1986), Eddie Anderson (1991), Terrence Lewis (2002), McKenzie Moore (2016), Cameron Gliddon (2019) Most Outstanding Kiwi Guard: John Rademakers (1986), Chris Tupu (1994), Terrence Lewis (2002), Taylor Britt (2024, 2026) Most Outstanding Forward: John Whorton (2002), Marcel Jones (2016), Lachlan Olbrich (2024) Most Outstanding Kiwi Forward/Centre: Glen Denham (1990), Marcel Jones (2016, 2017) Scoring Champion: John Whorton (2003), Dennis Trammell (2006) Rebounding Champion: John Whorton (2002, 2003) Assist Champion: Clyde Huntley (1984), Scott Stewart (1996), Carlo Varicchio (2002), McKenzie Moore (2016) Rookie of the Year: Arthur Trousdell (2000), Richie Edwards (2014), Max Darling (2018) Youth Player of the Year: Walter Brown (2023), Lachlan Olbrich (2024), Jake Holmes (2026) Coach of the Year: John Watson (2002), Mick Downer (2019), Judd Flavell (2024), Quinn Clinton (2026) Most Improved Player of the Year: Taylor Britt (2024), Walter Brown (2026)
Players Current roster
Notable past players
/ Clifton Bush Glen Dandridge Glen Denham / Richie Edwards Mickell Gladness / Marcel Jones Jeremy Kendle Jeremy Kench / Terrence Lewis Damian Matacz McKenzie Moore Matthew Rogers Ethan Rusbatch Deshon Taylor Jermaine Taylor Reuben Te Rangi Dennis Trammell / Arthur Trousdell M. J. Walker Marques Whippy
Coaches Head coaches Murray McKay (1982–1983) Darrell Todd (1984–1985) Garry Pettis (1986–1988) Keith Mair (1989–1995) Bert Knops (1996–1999) Matt Ruscoe (2000–2001) John Watson (2002–2004) Pete McAllister (2004–2005) Chris Sparks (2006–2007) Bert Knops (2008) Dave Harrison (2014) Mark Dickel (2015–2018) Mick Downer (2019–2021) Judd Flavell (2022–2024) Quinn Clinton (2025–present)
Source: canterburyrams.basketball
References
External links Official team website
Andrew Harrison: the unassuming man behind the Canterbury Rams' NBL success