JackJumpers replace key piece

The Tasmania JackJumpers have worked quickly to replace Majok Deng, with emerging guard Ryley Haywood stepping in as a concussion replacement player.

Haywood will suit up for the JackJumpers' Round 18 game against the Illawarra Hawks at home.

"Ryley is well known to the Tasmanian basketball community as an emerging talent. He has spent quite a bit of time with the current group as a training player and will fit seamlessly into the systems while Majok is recovering," JackJumpers General Manager of Basketball, Darren Smith said.

"It’s great to have another Tasmanian athlete suiting up in a JackJumpers jersey."

Deng entered concussion protocols following Thursday night's loss against the Sydney Kings.

A further blow to the squad, sharp-shooter Bryce Hamilton also went down on Thursday night with a suspected knee injury, and has undergone precautionary scans.