Junior Madut joins the nest

The Tasmania JackJumpers have added another player to their squad for the 2023-24 season, signing with exciting young wing Junior Madut.

Madut is a coming a solid rookie campaign with the South East Melbourne Phoenix (averaging 4 points, 2 rebounds, 0.8 assists per game). But despite showing flashes of his skills across the season, highlighted by a 21 points against Illawarra, his second year team option was not taken up by the Phoenix and he became a free agent.

The JackJumpers signed the 25-year old on a one year deal, with a mutual option for the second yeer.

“We feel Junior is a great addition to the roster, he’s one of those players has been a bit underrated and underestimated, and we think he’s got huge potential,” JackJumpers co-CEO Jorrick Chivers said.

“He really impressed us last season, right back to the two pre-season games we played against Phoenix in Northern Tasmania and early last season. He’s been on our radar for quite a while.”

Talks about making a move to the JackJumpers increased over the off season, once was released by the Phoenix Madut explained.

“I think the conversation just sparked up a bit more this off-season. I spoke to Scott Roth and liked what he had to say, I spoke to the assistants, and I think they all have a big plan,” he said.

“They’re ready to work and have an exciting group of guys and an exciting community. For me, it’s easy to come in and join that, and join something that’s already good.”

Playing mostly as a wing guard, Madut will help fill the roles of departing wing guards Matt Kenyon (SE Melbourne Phoenix) and Sam McDaniel (Brisbane Bullets). Although his defensive game is not at quite the same level as McDaniel or Kenyon, he does bring plenty of upside with his offensive game, something the JackJumpers lacked at key stages last season and has been a important factor in signing free agents.

Madut has the ability to score inside and out, but his outside shot has been inconsistent across his college and NBL career (27% last season, averaging two attempts per game). The JackJumpers will work on improving his outside shooting, and making him a constant threat from outside, and forcing opponents to spread the floor.

Playing the the NBL1 East this off season with the Norths Bears , he has already shown his strong strong scoring ability, averaging 30.2 points per game including a 50 point effort in April.

The signing of Madut is the second addition by the JackJumpers tis season, following the acquisition of former Adelaide guard Anthony Drmic.

Both new arrivals will play their debut games for Tasmania on Friday, September 29 against the Perth Wildcats.