Johnson's summer of sacrifice already reaping rewards

If David Johnson came back for a second NBL season with the Tasmania JackJumpers, one game into NBL27, coach Scott Roth's off-season challenge has clearly paid dividends.

Johnson had a good first season with the JackJumpers in NBL26 producing 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists on 32 per cent three-point shooting.

He had some standout moments too, especially late in the piece when he had to step up after Bryce Hamilton's knee injury.

Johnson got to work in the NBL off-season and got himself into the best shape of his life. One game into NBL27, it's already paying off after a standout showing in Monday night's home win for the JackJumpers against the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

The 25-year-old delivered 26 points, six rebounds and six assists on 10/15 field goal shooting, including 12 of his team's 36 points in the third quarter, when they stormed back into the contest.

Roth now expects him to keep reaping the rewards for the work he's put in heading into NBL27.

"We asked a lot from him this summer to come back and his skill level is undeniable so we really emphasised the three months that he was at home to change his body," Roth said.

"And he came back 15 pounds lighter and kind of rebuilt himself and rebuilt his diet, and was really all-in.

"I think he'll reap the rewards over the course of this season but a lot of hard work for him in the off-season got him here and not a lot of players have the diligence to go through that for that long.

"He's done a remarkable job physically coming back the way he is and we're quite proud of him."

Coming to the NBL last season was Johnson's first taste of playing internationally, having played all his basketball in the G League along with a stint in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors, who drafted him back in 2021 out of the University of Louisville.

He enjoyed his time with the JackJumpers enough to come back, but he heeded Roth's advice and got down to work on his own mini season back home to make sure he returned as a transformed athlete.

"I had a mini season in my off-season as well for myself," Johnson said.

"I think mostly for me this off-season was a mentality shift and it was physical too, but it was about that mentality of going to work every day because that's what the season is going to hold."

The JackJumpers came from 16 points down at one stage in the second quarter to record an impressive win over South East Melbourne on Monday night.