SEASON 2024/25 of the National Basketball League (NBL) is already approaching the halfway mark, and the race for a top six spot is as tight as ever.

Now 10 rounds into the fixture has seen record-breaking performances, dominant team displays and thrilling finishes as the NBL produces its most exciting season yet, with the championship race wide open as it stands.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be putting each side under the microscope, and the final team to dissect is the Tasmania JackJumpers, who have failed to live up to lofty expectations coming off a maiden championships.

Tasmania JackJumpers

Record as of Round 11 – six wins, eight losses

How its happened

The JackJumpers pulled off a remarkable feat last season, claiming their first championship after competing strongly in their prior campaigns. For most of the off-season, Tasmania’s roster looked largely unchanged, until the NBA came knocking and the JackJumpers lost their Grand Final MVP in Jack McVeigh. The reigning champions have not been able to reach the same heights this time around, proving the worst offensive team in the NBL and missing McVeigh’s tough shot making in a big way. Tassie have secured some important wins over the past three weeks to remain in the hunt for a finals spot, but changes on the offensive end are still needed.

MVP – Will Magnay

Although Milton Doyle was also a strong contender for a nod here, Tassie’s physical big man just edges him out for two-way impact. Magnay showed his importance last season when he played a crucial role in the JackJumpers’ title run and his presence around the basket continues to be a massive positive for the team. He is a highlight machine, as demonstrated by his snatch block on a dunk attempt over the weekend (unfortunately it was called a foul by the referee much to Tasmania’s dismay). On the season, Magnay is averaging 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.6 steals per game and is one of the most impactful big men in the competition.

Where to from here?

Scoring is the name of the game for the JackJumpers, with the reigning champions currently averaging 78 points per game, which is the lowest figure in the competition. The absence of McVeigh has been considerably noticeable, and head coach Scott Roth has been making lineup adjustments to counter the drop off on the offensive end. One big boost would be an increase in output from the backcourt pairing of Doyle and Jordan Crawford, given the pair have been below their best so far this season. All of Tassie’s wins have come on the back of some impressive defence, so if the JackJumpers can lift their points per game, it will make them a much stronger chance at defending their title.