With several JackJumpers already plying their trade in Europe, we shift our focus on the other players who will keeping it local this offseason.
NBL1 South
Jarrad Bairstow – Hobart Chargers
Contract status – Signed until 23-24
Backup forward/center for the JackJumpers Jarrad Bairstow returns to the Hobart Chargers after a successful stint with the team in 2022. An ankle injury kept Bairstow to 16 games with the Chargers, where he played a key big man role at both ends of the floor averaging 12.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
With the departure of Harry Froling, he’ll re-join Ole Angestein to form a key back court duo for Hobart,
Sam McDaniel – Hobart Chargers
Contract status: Signed with Brisbane Bullets to 2024-25
After foregoing his final year option with the JackJumpers becoming a free agent, guard Sam Mcdaniel has signed with the Brisbane Bullets next season. The good news for Tassie basketball fans is he will remain locally this offseason after commitinto a second season with the Hobart Chargers. Mcdaniel played a key role last season for Hobart (15.5 points, 5.3 rebounds) which included him winning NBL1 South Grand Final with 32 points. Expect more high scoring games from McDaniel this season, as he shoulders more if the scoring load with Harry Froling not returning
NBL1 North
Isaac White
Contract Status : Signed with Brisbane Bullets to 24-25
After a stellar season with Tasmania, one of the most in-demand players this offseason Isaac”iceman” White was quickly snapped by the Brisbane Bullets on a two year deal. But while the JackJumpers will look to fill his role, White will be playing this winter in NBL1 North.
After starring for the Ipswich Force last season with 26.4 point s 8.5 rebounds 4 assists, White returns to Queensland with for the Mackay Meteoers. The move has already paid instant dividends, with White scoring 40 points 9 rebounds and 7 assists on debut in his sides 108-98 win over the southern Southern District Spartans in round 1. Then followed it up with 34 points 8 steals, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in a win over Townsville in round two.
Matt Kenyon
Contract Status: Free Agent
Staying in the NBL1 North, Matt Kenyon has switched North West Tasmania South East Queensland, as he plays with the University of Sunshine Coast Rip City,
“I chose to come to Sunny Coast, one to escape the Tassie winter and have some good weather and waves, but also because I know how talented the team is and the possibility of winning a championship” he told Sunshine Coast News.
RipCity made it to the NBL1 North Grand final last season, going down to a star studded Gold Coast side. RipCity were led by NB1 North MVP Kouat Noi, s his season, and will be hoping that the addition of NBL talent in Kenyon will help the team go one step further in NBL1 North 23.
Kenyon made a great start with his new team, debuting with 22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in their 99-88 win over the Brisbane Capitals.
Sean McDonald
Contract Status: Signed with JackJumpers through 24-25
Staying in NBL1 North, Sean McDonald is another JackJumper heading North for the winter after inking a deal with the Darwin Salties.
McDonald had an impressive sophomore year in NBL season (6 pointsts and 2 rebounds ans 1.5 assists per game) and short listed for NBL’s most improved player award, which followed on from a strong NBL1 campaign with the NW Thunder. He’ll be hoping for another strong year with Darwin, and will be a key part of the Salties offence alongside Nate Jawai and Makuach Muluach
He’s quickly put NBL1 North on notice, leading the salties in scoring with 27.5 points per game across the opening two contests.
Jarrad Weeks
Contract status: Free Agent
Having not played in the last offseason, Weeks is headed to the New Zealand NBL to play with Auckland Tuatara.
Weeks spent two NBL seasons in New Zealand with the Breakers and will be linking up with Cam Gliddon and Reubin Te Rangi at Auckland franchise. Their season tips off 8 April against the Nelson Giants.
Walter Brown
Contract Status: Free Agent
Also in New Zealand NBL will be Development Player Walter Browne, the young kiwi will be returning to the Canterbury Rams.
This will be Brown’s third season for the Rams and is coming off 7.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game last NZNBL season. The 19-year-old also made his debut for the New Zealand national team in 2023.
The JackJumpers did not take up the option on the second year of Brown’s contract after he saw limited gametime with Tasmania. But the decision more likely had to with the NBL changing the rules around development players, with spots now available to all Australian and New Zealand players under 25. But another strong season with the Rams could see Browne back in Tasmania next season
