After a solid start off the bench across the first four games of the season, new import Rashard Kelly appears set for a greater on-court presence for JackJumpers.
Joining the JackJumpers in the offseason with a reputation of doing a bit of everything on court the 6’7” forward has lived up to the hype, averaging 15 points per game, a team-leading leading 7.3 rebounds, along with an assist and a block.
Kelly has also managed to score in double figures in all four matches so far, and there has been no bigger basket than his three pointer in the dying seconds of overtime against the Brisbane Bullets to seal the JackJumpers first win of NBL23.
In the press conference after the win, JackJumpers coach Scott Roth discussed Kelly’s impressive output so far , and acknowledged he needs to find him more game time.
“Rashard’s been fantastic really, he’s been doing it at both ends of the floor and you know my bad really these first two or three games not giving him more minutes and trying to get him out there, ” he said.
“We’ll have to think about how we get him out there longer to 26 to 30 minutes that he probably really deserves out there because he’s been really impactful. You know he’s played the three, he’s played the four, he’s been at the five.”
Kelly is currently averaging 23 minutes per game, with a season high 27 minutes on Sunday against Brisbane, which included all five minutes full overtime period.
Embed from Getty Images“He’s guarded just about everybody on the floor. He’s another guy that’s no nonsense and just goes about his business, but I need to get him on the floor a little bit more.”
With Tasmania missing the experience of Clint Steindl, Sam McDaniel and Will Magnay through the opening games due to injury, it’s understandable that Roth has kept Kelly on the bench. Due to his versatility, Kelly has been Roth’s number one option off the bench, being able to insert him into the game to play multiple roles.
“When he’s playing all those different positions, its hugely valuable to us and it gives us more size and a bit bigger athlete obviously, so I’ve just got to do a better job with him.”
Kelly joined the JackJumpers in the off season as a replacement for former import forward MiKyle McIntosh, who was inconsistent with his minutes across the season as he struggled adapting to the NBL officiating, picking up quick fouls. Eventually moving to the role as an impact player off the bench.
However, with the majority of the squad returning back for NBL23 after a Grand Final appearance, it appears Roth has gone with similar rotations of his roster for season two. Meaning Kelly initially looks to have moved into the bench impact player role that McIntosh held. But its becoming clearer as every game passes that Kelly’s play at both ends of the floor is an upgrade on McIntosh, and he’s worthy of a larger role.
“Its just the rotations and just figuring out my own way trying to get these guys the correct amount of minutes out there. So I think its more on my part that i’m a little bit more conscious of getting him back on the floor,” Scott Roth said.
The JackJumpers (1-3) are on the road this week, playing the Adelaide 36ers (0-0) on Thursday night followed by Melbourne United (1-1) on Sunday afternoon.
