Despite being just halfway through the NBL season, a number of JackJumpers players have already announced where they will be playing this offseason in the NBL1.
With just six weeks until NBL1 kicks off, we’ll take a look at which JackJumpers has signed where. But also look at how the two Tasmanian teams, the Hobart Chargers and the North West Tasmania Thunder, are shaping up.
Currently five JackJumpers players have signed up for NBL1. First to announce his NBL1 intentions was Will Magnay who will be joining the Gold Coast Rollers in the NBL1 North. Magnay will be returning home to Queensland where he will be joining an imposing Rollers lineup. The team is coached by NBL veteran Anthony Petrie, and will feature current Brisbane Bullets duo Jason Cadee and Tanner Krebs.
Jack Mcveigh will also be heading to Queensland, but playing for Rollers cross-town rivals the North Gold Coast Seahawks. McVeigh played with the North Adelaide Rockets last season, and has jumped at the chance play for his junior club, and also the opportunity to play with his brother Lloyd McVeigh.
Meanwhile Fabian Krislovich, Sean Macdonald and Serj Deans will be teammates on the off season. The trio will head to Ulverstone where they will suit up for the North West Tasmania Thunder.
For the remaining JackJumpers we may see more announcements in the coming weeks. Last season Jock Perry and Matt Kenyon were teammates last with the Ballarat Miners, Sam McDaniel played with Sandringham Sabres, and Jarred Bairstow played for Sunshine Coast Phoenix.
JackJumper player signings summary
Will Magnay – Gold Coast Rollers (NBL1 North)
Jack McVeigh – North Gold Coast Seahawks (NBL1 North)
Serj Deans – North West Tasmania Thunder (NBL1 South)
Sean MacDonald – North West Tasmania Thunder (NBL1 South)
Fabian Krslovic – North West Tasmania Thunder (NBL1 South)
Note: NBL1 has strict rules on “restricted players” which are players who are from outside Australia or have played in the NBL. They operate a points system that all NBL1 teams must abide by. A team is allocated a certain amount of points for its roster, with each player allocated a player score that will go towards the team total. The score each player is allocated varies on their recent basketball history and minutes played in NBL etc. Its fairly complex, but generally teams can sign up 3-4 “restricted” players before they run out of points.
Hobart Chargers roster
Looking more locally, the Chargers have announced three official signings for the upcoming season. Two are American imports – small forward Wayne Stewart and point guard AJ Harris. Both of whom are currently playing in the Norway’s premier basketball league the BLNO.
But interestingly the Chargers have signed Harry Froling from the Illawarra Hawks. Froling last played in Tasmania previously through with a short stint for the Southern Huskies in 2019, who were playing in the New Zealand Basketball League.
Key Chargers players from last season Jonathan Mines, Koen Sapwell and Tad Dufemier are yet to sign up for NBL1 as yet. However, former Charger Jack Purchase has singed for the Forestville Eagles in NBL1 Central.
While announcing the signing of Harry Froling in late February, Chargers coach Anthony Stewart indicated Zac White, Jack Stanwix and Jacob Richards would be part of the core 2022 roster. With the reminder of the team to be made up of 17-18 locals. So it would appear unlikely that any JackJumpers will take part in the Hobart Chargers program this season.
North West Tasmania Thunder roster
As mentioned above, the Thunder will be headlined by JackJumpers Krislovich, Macdonald and Deans. The Thunder have also signed import Kavaugn Scott, and confirmed Joel Beveridge, Cam Brown, Ben Woolley and Paul Campbell will be part of the Thunder roster in 2022.
After a successful 2021 with Deans on the roster, Krslovich and Macdonald are significant additions for the Thunder.
Krslovic has mostly been a backup big for Magnay this season at NBL level, but has stepped up to the starting centre multiple times and played big minutes. His ability to also step outside and knockdown the three will a great addition to the Thunder offices.
Macdonald is coming off his first NBL season as a development player. Although he hasn’t played regular minutes, his experience around an NBL club and training would make a huge difference. Earlier this year he was called up the Boomers squad in Japan for their World Cup Qualifiers. Under Boomers coach Rob Beveridge he averaged 15 minutes per game as a secondary or primary ball handler, and was strong on the defensive end.
Macdonald joins the Thunder after playing a leading role with the Dandenong Randers last NBL1 season, where he averaged 19 points 4 assists and 3 rebounds .
We’ll have a NBL1 season preview in the coming weeks for our Tasmanian teams, and another look at the final rosters.
