Home-grown star backs "deep, talented’ JackJumpers

It's been a busy off-season for the Tasmania JackJumpers, as they look to revamp their roster and return to the Playoffs in the Hungry Jack's NBL27 Season.

The headline of that is bringing Tasmanian talent Taran Armstrong back home, after stints with the Golden State Warriors and in the EuroLeague.

Despite having numerous offers on the table, the star guard explained there was only ever one club he wanted to sign for.

"Truthfully, there was no pitch that was needed [from the JackJumpers]," Armstrong said on NBL Now.

"Me and [Scott] Roth connected after my year in Cairns, before I got the two-way deal, and we had conversations then about me potentially coming [to the club].

"Obviously, I got the two-way deal and that led into my Dubai stint, but there was never any convincing needed to be done from anyone on the staff.

"I was very fortunate to be in a position where I could make calls about my career and really fortunate that they reciprocated that they wanted me, so when I was making my decision, [I knew] this is the club, anywhere in the world, that I wanted to be.

"This is where I think I can have the most success from a team, from individual, and this is where I can improve the most.

"This is where I'm gonna have a really great life experience with my family being here and being able to come down for games and have that unique experience.

"So it was never like, we got to convince him to come. I was coming the whole time."

This historic move sees Armstrong become the second born and bred Tasmanian to sign as a rostered player with the JackJumpers, following Sam McDaniel.

"I always felt the best I've ever played when I was wearing green, representing Tassie and playing for my state," he said.

"I'm very excited, and I can't wait to feel the energy from the fans from that sellout [MyState Bank] Arena.

"It's a great experience being an away player there, so I can only imagine what it's going to be like as a home team and hometown kid."

Armstrong joins a strong retained core of Will Magnay, Josh Bannan, Bryce Hamilton, David Johnson, Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic, Ben Ayre, Nick Marshall and Ryley Haywood.

Others to join the squad are Dakota Mathias and Ben Gold, giving the Ants a squad Armstrong knows can win at the highest level.

"I know I'm going into a team and an environment where it's serious about winning, and there's gonna be an expectation for us to win," he said.

"We have a really good group where we're deep, we're talented, and we have a great blend of local guys and imports.

"I've got to make sure I'm ready to lead that as the point guard and be super impactful on the floor in every space.

"I'm gonna do everything I can to win both sides of the ball, and that's all that really matters."

The JackJumpers open their campaign on Monday, September 21 against South East Melbourne at MyState Bank Arena from 7.30pm AEST.