THE 2023/24 National Basketball League (NBL) is right around the corner, with the fixture set to kick off on tonight, with a clash between the two Melbourne based sides.

The season is shaping up like no other, with an unprecedented amount of young and international talent complimenting the homegrown players set to suit up in the nation’s premier basketball competition.

The landscape of the league looks as even as ever, with the title up for grabs after a period of dominance from the Sydney Kings. As the New Zealand Breakers and Cairns Taipans proved last season, any side could climb the rankings and the player movement has ensured there is no clear favourite.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be taking a look at each side and how they are shaping up ahead of the season’s commencement, with some intriguing outfits around the NBL.

In the final article for the series, we will be taking a look at the Tasmania JackJumpers, who have appeared in the postseason in their first two seasons in the league, but are still chasing a maiden title.

Tasmania JackJumpers

2022/23 record – 16 wins, 12 losses

The JackJumpers have been one of the more remarkable stories in Australian sport over the past two years, with the league’s newest side proving one of the contenders since its inception. However, Tasmania will need to take down some stacked rosters if it is to take the next step.

Roster

Anthony Drmic, Clint Steindl, Fabijan Krslovic, Jack McVeigh, Jacob Richards, Jarred Bairstow, Jordon Crawford, Junior Madut, Lachlan Barker, Majok Deng, Majok Majok, Marcus Lee, Milton Doyle, Sean Macdonald, Walter Brown, Will Magnay

Key question – Can their system overcome the league’s heavily stacked rosters?

The JackJumpers have always thrived on having a balanced playing list, with Scott Roth instead choosing to recruit a batch of players that compliment each other in comparison to big names. Although Milton Doyle has become a star of the competition since joining the team, he and his teammates all play in a balanced manner under Roth, which has proven a winning formula with two finals appearances in as many seasons.

However, the NBL is as full of talent as it has ever been this season, with some sides loading up in the race for the 2023/24 championship. The likes of Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats have brought in some big names, and will be firming for the title. However, Tasmania’s system has worked wonders in the past, with the ability to share the load offensively and defensively, play tough and remain in games despite the margin proving a winning formula. The JackJumpers also left the Blitz preseason tournament undefeated, meaning they should be able to handle the star-studded rosters.

One to watch – Jordon Crawford

The JackJumpers switched things up at the point guard position over the off-season, moving on from inaugural member Josh Magette after two seasons leading the team with his passing. Tasmania opted to sign Crawford instead, who could be one of the most productive backcourt players in the NBL by the end of the fixture.

Although he stands just 168cm, Crawford’s impact stands much taller than his listed height, making him an attractive recruit for Tasmania. With the ability to go on serious scoring tears, but also get his teammates involved with extremely quick passing, the guard will orchestrate the JackJumpers offence easily.

The JackJumpers will be another contending side in the NBL this year, and despite not having the most well-known roster, should trouble even the best teams over the course of the fixture.