Legends Praise Tassie Build

The Tasmania JackJumpers are the first side to complete their team ahead of NBL24, and NBL legends Chris Anstey and Mark Worthington have taken a deep dive into the construction of their roster.

While a core group containing the likes of Clint Steindl, Jack McVeigh, Will Magnay, Fabijan Krslovic and company has remained the same, NBL24 will represent the first time fans will see a player not named Josh Magette running point. 

Wings Junior Madut and Anthony Drmic loom as near stylistic like-for-like replacements for Matt Kenyon and Sam McDaniel, and the JackJumpers have also added their third import big in three seasons in the form of Marcus Lee, alongside versatile big Majok Deng. 

<iframe style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0pFMJ1ePGAtjpcleiOzjxL?utm_source=generator&theme=0" width="100%" height="152" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy"></iframe>

“I like them. I like what they’re putting together,” Anstey said on Hasbeen Hoops. “I think they absolutely know what their culture is.

“The challenge now becomes bringing in talented players who buy into that culture, not only or exclusively players with a chip on their shoulder who have been told they’re not good enough at another club.

"If you can start instilling that culture into more talented players, I like what they’re doing.”

While Magette and new import guard Jordon Crawford both thrive as the primary ball-handler for their side, the acquisition of Crawford could represent a change of offence for the JackJumpers.

Magette is primarily a pass-first point guard with the mentality of a defensive terrier. Across his two seasons in the NBL he averaged 5.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game – along with 11 points on 34.9 per cent shooting.

Crawford, on the other hand, seems to be an explosive scorer who thrives off the dribble and is equally adept as an on-ball defender.

He finished his most recent season as the leading scorer of the Turkish Basketball Super League averaging 19.6 points per game on 50 per cent shooting – as well as 5.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

Given Milton Doyle’s status as the side’s number one scorer last season, Worthington is interested in how the JackJumpers’ new import pair will play alongside each other.

“If you’re that height and you’ve had the level of success he’s had you know he’s going to have some tricks up his sleeve,” Worthington said of Crawford.

“The first two seasons of the JackJumpers have seen Josh Magette as a facilitator. I think that helped Milton Doyle.

“Now if you’re going to have a scoring point guard, what does that look like next to Doyle?

“I know Doyle is a low maintenance guy but it’s going to be interesting to see what that looks like.”

Tasmania’s opening game of NBL24 will come against the Perth Wildcats on Friday, September 29.