The Canterbury Rams Announce the Return of Joe Cook-Green

Although the Sal’s NBL season has been delayed and we are all focused on the lockdown, we are excited to announce some talented Rams players, all whom have come through the Mainland Eagles Academy. The third is returning Rams player from a few years back, Joe Cook-Green!

Born and raised in New Zealand, playing for Otago Boys High School was where Joe’s passion for basketball began. Joe then moved to Christchurch to attend Cashmere High School and be a part of the Mainland Eagles Basketball Academy led by Caleb Harrison & Mark Dickel. After completing high school, Joe stayed in Christchurch to play for the Canterbury Rams while training under the Eagles program in preparation for US college.

During Joe’s early years with the Rams organisation he was heavily involved in both the Rams Mentoring and Rams In-Schools coaching programs. He was also often spotted coaching and refereeing junior games on Friday nights at local high schools. Joe has also worn the black singlet two separate times firstly playing for the U19 New Zealand team in 2015 & the New Zealand Select Men’s team in 2017.

His US college career started at Northwest Florida State College & Eastern Arizona before graduating from Junior College and joining Sam Smith at Texas Wesleyan University for his last two years. His basketball skills developed both locally and abroad will be a great asset to the Rams team as Head Coach Mick Downer commented saying “We are really excited about having Joe return to the Rams after finishing his college career in the states. Joe has a positively infectious nature, he’s upbeat, tenacious and hard working. It’s really exciting to have another former Eagles player return and commit to the Rams. We are really looking forward to supporting Joe’s transition into the professional game, he has great capacity to play at a really elite level of basketball.”

We can’t wait to have Joe back involved in our organisation!

The Rams in the Backyard program launches at 10am tomorrow! This program provides weekly home workouts including injury prevention, strength & conditioning, and of course a ton of basketball skills, drills and challenges. This program will feature the Rams team including Joe Cook-Green. Stay tuned for more information.