Can Tassie Make Season Tre Jump?

Photo: cbulancers.com

Incoming Tasmania development player Tre Armstrong believes the JackJumpers are ready to use their first two seasons in the competition as a launching pad for bigger and better things.

Armstrong – who has signed on after a four-year college career at California Baptist University – will arrive at a team that has earned back-to-back top four finishes in its first season in the competition, but suffered Playoffs elimination at the hands of the New Zealand Breakers last season.

“I think the program wants to use those first two years as a stepping stone for bigger and better things,” Armstrong said. “That’s what you’re trying to do – you’re trying to win championships.

“It’s provided and exciting program for Tasmanians to support and love, and the success on the floor over the first two seasons has been pretty special.

“I always wanted to play for Tasmania at some point in my career, I had no real idea it was going to be this soon – it’s just happened to work out that way.”

Armstrong’s return to his home state will see him once again link up with legendary Tasmanian coach Mark Radford.

Radford coached the Australian World University Games side from 2017-2019, and was previously an assistant coach with Perth and Adelaide in the NBL.

Ahead of joining the JackJumpers' staff, Radford was the head coach of the Tasmanian state team, and he has links with Armstrong dating back to his earliest playing years.

“He’s been my coach and mentor since I was a young kid playing basketball,” Armstrong said of Radford.

“The whole way through.

“The opportunity to continue to be under his guidance every day and understand I’m not a finished product, but I want to see as good as I can be as a basketballer while helping to contribute to something bigger, it ends up being a no-brainer when you have people like that in your corner.

“I was blessed to have this opportunity come up in a notable spot for development players to grow their game and possibly contribute.

“To be able to stay home and do that is a great bonus.”