Tasmanian Lauchlan Barker will be returning home this NBL season after signing a one-year deal as a nominated replacement player (NRP) with the Tasmania JackJumpers.
Although not taking a formal roster spot, the deal allows Barker to train full-time with JackJumpers squad for the season, however can only be elevated to the active roster and suit up for games if another player is injured.
“We’re really excited to bring Lachlan into the JackJumpers family,” Tasmania co-CEO Jorrick Chivers said. “We think this is the perfect environment for him to grow as a player and thrive in a supportive environment in his home state.
“While Lachie is over the maximum age for a development player, the NRP system is a great way of being able to bring in a really solid guy like Lachie, that we think will fit in really well with the group.: he said.
Hailing from Somerset on North West Coast the 27-year-old guard has been around the NBL for a number of years. Beginning his basketball locally with the North West Thunder in the NBL1 he was offered a development player role with the Sydney Kings in 2018-19 as a 22-year-old. When that role was not renewed he returned to the NBL1 with Victorian side Frankston.
Several solid seasons with Frankston and an appearance at the NBL Blitz 2021 in Tasmania with the NBL1 All-Stars in 2021. This led to an NBL return with the South East Melbourne Phoneix in 2021-22, averaging 2.7 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.3 assists in just under 8 minutes a game.
After Frankston qualified as a wildcard to the 2022 NBL1 National Finals, Barker led the Blues to an unlikely finals spot and earning all-star 5 honours at the tournament. Barker was then signed by joined cross-town rivals Melbourne United in a MRP role, that saw him make 14 appearances across season for 3.1 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist per game.
Barker joins as fellow Tasmania departs
The announcement Barker just comes weeks after the sudden departure of fellow Tasmanian Tre Armstrong. Scott Roth explained that the development player was after a break from basketball
“He was mentally a little tired and wanted to travel through europe with his girlfriend and just take a sabbatical from basketball really and get away from it, Roth said
Armstrong was returning to Tasmania after a four year college year with Cal Baptist University.
“He’s kind of been on a treadmill, continually playing year after year and comes back full circle with the [North West Tasmania] Thunder and I think for anything else he just wanted to take a breath and get away from the sport”.
“We’ve always said the door’s open for him during th e season if wants to have some workouts. I think its good on him, you can get mentally drained of just doing things and expectations,” Roth said.
