The JackJumpers have added a further two matches to their pre-season schedule, with Melbourne United visiting Tasmania in late August for games in North and North West Tasmania.
The matches in Ulverstone on 28 August and Launceston on 30 August follow on from last years sell out games at the same locations to the visiting South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Melbourne United have made significant changes in the off-season after an underwhelming NBL23, where they missed out on the playoffs, after claiming the minor championship in the prior season. United have bolstered their roster with the return of Matthew Dellavedova from the NBA, Luke Travers from Perth Wildcats and former NBA title winner Ian Clarke.
The matches also have a few local links, with JackJumpers former assistant coach Jacob Chance returning to Tasmania after signing on with Melbourne United in the off season. As well as Tasmanian Tanner Krebs, who is playing his first games in a Melbourne United uniform. After finishing his contract with the Brisbane Bullets, Krebs was a target for the JJ’s in the off-season, but he ended up signing a multi-year deal with United. Then finally, JackJumpers new import Marcus Less will face his former team for the first time.
āWeāre excited to have Melbourne United here for a Battle of Bass Strait! Itāll be a great opportunity to test the squad against quality opposition and solidify our first block of preseason trainingā JackJumpers co-CEO Jorrick Chivers said.
āItās always great to showcase NBL level basketball to fans across the North of the state and engage with the passionate fan base up thereā Chivers said.
Pre season camp in North
The games against United are part of the JackJumpers pre-season camp held across the North and North West of the state from 25-30 August.
With overseas based players due in Tasmania by mid-August, the full playing group will undertake six days of pre-season training and engage in team bonding activities while taking part in as well as a number of community engagement activities in the northern half of the state.
The two pre-season matches have added to a busy pre-season schedule for the JackJumpers ahead of thier NBL24 season opener on 29 September against the Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena. Beginning with a match up against touring college side California Baptist University prior to the Melbourne United series, then head to the NBL Blitz on the Gold Coast for three further games in September.
JackJumpers pre-season schedule
- 15 August JackJumpers vs California Baptist University, venue TBC
- 28 August JackJumpers vs Melbourne United, Ulverstone Thunder Stadium
- 30 August JackJumpers vs Melbourne United, Launceston Elphin Sports Centre
- 16 September JackJumpers vs South East Melbourne Phoenix, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
- 19 September JackJumpers vs NZ Breakers, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
- 21 September JackJumpers vs Adelaide 36ers, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
