The Tasmania JackJumpers have bolsted their local player ranks, with the addition of Jacob Richards to their NBL24 squad as a development player.
The 22-year-old Tasmanian has been on the radar of the JackJumpers for some time, and has been training with the team under coach Scott Roth for the past two seasons.
“He came to me to ask to train again this season, again with no expectations and he continues to challenge these guys, embrace our values, and just be a really valuable guy both on and off the floor. I think he wholeheartedly deserves this and I’m really pleased he can now call himself a true JackJumper” Roth said.
The 6’7″ Richards has just completed the recent NBL1 season with the Hobart Chargers, where he averaged 13.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. In addtion he has represented Australia at the Under 17 and Under 19 level, as we as the under 18 national team at the 3×3 Asia Cup.
“It’s a dream come true, I’m really proud of the work I’ve put in over the last two years and I’m really excited to continue to grow with the group. I did not see that announcement coming at all, so it was just a whirlwind of emotion, it’s something I’ll never forget and I’m excited to go to work and truly feel part of the club” Richards said.
With his ability to get on the glass and shoot reasonably from outside, Richards is quite a versatile player that could play multiple positions, however at NBL level he’d likely play at the small forward position. But as with anyone playing under Roth, it will be Richards ability to defend that dictate what court time he’ll receive.
He joins the team after the recent departure of development player Josh Tomasi. Who left the the team under mutual circumstances so he could pursue opportunities in Europe.
The JackJumpers current development players for NBL24 are Jacob Richards, Walter Brown and Sean MacDonald.
