It seems there is no stopping Phill Jones, either on the basketball court or off it.

The current Most Valuable Player of the national basketball league has committed to another season with the Nelson Giants, despite turning 36 before the 2010 season tips off.

This year, Jones had one of his best seasons in a national league career that began with Nelson in 1993. He averaged 23 points a game as he led the ecogise Giants to the finals, his performance being recognised with his fifth outstanding Kiwi guard award, selection in the Allstar Five and his first league Most Valuable Player crown.

Coming on top of his Sixth Man of the Year award with the New Zealand Breakers, it was a special season for Jones, who is currently leading the Cairns Taipans in scoring as he captains them in the Australian national league.

Although he is the oldest player lacing up his boots in the New Zealand league, there is little sign that he is over the hill, or even approaching the summit.

"Phill keeps himself in great shape and he's mentally in a really good place," said Giants head coach Chris Tupu, after signing Jones to the contract extension this week.

"He's the type of player who will keep going as long as he wants to.

"He has balance in his life and he's really enjoying playing basketball at a high level simply because he can."

Jones, wife Kat and their young family returned to Nelson for the 2008 season after a successful professional stint in Italy. The 1.96-metre-tall guard had previously said that he intended to make Nelson his permanent home, but Tupu didn't take his signing for granted.

"Look at last year," he said. "Hawke's Bay threw a truckload of money at him and Phill had to take that seriously.

"He chose to stay and play in Nelson and had a fantastic season.

"He'd signalled he wanted to be a Giant for as long as his body and enthusiasm last, but you never take anything as read. It's still a great signing for us."

Joining Jones in committing for the next season is Junior Tall Blacks point guard Josh Bloxham.

The 19-year-old will line up for his fourth full season with the Giants, and Tupu predicts that 2010 will be the year he shows his true talent after seasons interrupted by injury and national team commitments.

"Josh has the ability. What he hasn't had is the chance to knuckle down and really have a full season with the Giants.

"He has a summer programme ahead of him and then he will have the chance to really establish himself.

"He is definitely part of the next wave of players who will represent Nelson and New Zealand."

While Jones has commitments in Cairns until mid-February at the earliest, Bloxham will be part of a wider training group that Tupu will bring together later this month.

He will work with current Giants Bloxham, Darryl Jones, Ben Wright, Bronson Beri, Nico Ritschny, Sam Dempster and Chris Duthie, alongside the best high-school prospects before formal pre-season training begins in the new year.