In great news for the JackJumpers fans, Matt Kenyon has re-signed on for 2022/23 season, as announced by the Tasmania JackJumpers.
Initially signed on a one year contract after impressing in the NBL1 with Ballarat, the 24-year-old guard has made strong impression on the fans and coaching staff in his first year in Tasmania.
After being one of the last signings of the NBL free offseason, and joining a guard heavy roster, Kenyon quickly moved up the guard rotation. Going from spot minutes off the bench to a regular starter.
Despite his rise in form, and likely interest from rival NBL clubs in the offseason, Kenyon was keen to sign up again with the JackJumpers.
“My mindset was always on Tassie at the end of the day. They gave me an opportunity when no one else did and I’m really thankful for that, and I’m really happy here so I can’t ask for much more” Matt Kenyon said.
Embed from Getty ImagesKenyon has thrived under coach Scott Roth’s defensive orientated system. He is regularly tasked some of the NBL’s most difficult assignments, limiting the offensive production of players such as Bryce Cotton, Chris Goulding and Jaylen Adams. Limiting their impact helps game style, keeping the scoring slow and grinding out the game. and the coach couldn’t be happier with the Kenyon’s progress.
“He’s had a fantastic season for us so far and filled a role we were desperately needing and thought that he could fill. He’s stepped up to the plate all season, he’s worked his tail off and he thoroughly deserves a chance to come back here and continue to grow with us and we’re very fortunate and happy to have him back,” Scott Roth said.
Further developing his game
His defensive game has impressed, but the JackJumeprs will likely aim to expand his offensive game into next season. He currently averages 4 points a game off three field goal attempts across 18 minutes on court. Two thirds of his shots come from outside at 29%, if he can improve that percentage he will really be a legitimate threat in the corner for defenses. With the volume of threes Roth likes his team taking, there is every opportunity for Kenyon to improve that part of his game
Next season
Although Kenyon is the first JackJumpers to re-sign, he’ll be joining several JackJumpers returning to the Nest on multi-year deals. Jack McVeigh, Clint Steindl, Fabijan Krslovic, Jarred Weeks, Sam McDaniel and Jarred Bairstow will all return and form a familiar squad.
The main pieces still to lock in are their three import positions as well Will Magnay’s future. Their lack of depth in the power forward and center position will be a key issue to address in the off-season.
This likely will be addressed initially through key free agents that are entering the market at the end of the season. With the JackJumpers team a much easier sell than the unknown quantity they were last year.
The battle for minutes between McDaniel and Kenyon this season has been great for both players this season, as both play a very similar game. Kenyon’s improvement came faster than expected, resulting in him starting over McDaniel.
The front office is limited on re-tooling the roster with seven players already signed up for next season. But they would certainly be looking to maximize Kenyon’s and McDaniel’s minutes and playing them together more often.
