Roth reveals what JackJumper endured to play

Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth has revealed the lengths Dakota Mathias is going to just to take the court, as the guard battles a nose injury first suffered in Round 3.

Mathias went under anaesthesia for a procedure on his nose three days before Sunday’s win over the NZ Breakers. He then played without a single practice session, wearing a protective mask.

He scored 17 points in an all-important win for the JackJumpers, with Roth quickly pointed to his heroics in even getting on the court.

“He’s humble, that’s why he’s here,” Roth said, interrupting his own press conference to make sure Mathias’ week got a mention.

“He’s had a hell of a week. He obviously hurt his nose again in Illawarra. He was under anaesthesia about three days ago … it’s not fixed.

“Kept texting me, ‘I’m not missing the game. I’m not missing the game.’ We got him a mask ASAP.”

Mathias played 36 minutes in the JackJumpers’ hard-fought six-point win over the Breakers, continuing an incredibly consistent season for the former Brisbane Bullet.

The injury dates back to Round 3, when a heavy collision left with a bloodied nose and his nose heavily bandaged.

Then, eight days later he copped a stray elbow against Illawarra and was sent to hospital for x-rays.

“He didn’t practice for the whole week when we played Adelaide, and then we didn’t practice again to get to this game,” Roth said.

Roth said Mathias’ determination came as no surprise.

“Just his toughness, I wouldn’t say it shocked me, but he is very much about winning, and the school that he went to in Purdue is about winning,” he said.

“He’s been another guy that fits our mould of the kind of persons we want wearing green.”

Mathias will line up against his former club on Wednesday, when Tasmania hosts Brisbane in the JackJumpers’ third game in six days.