THE FREE agency period in the NBL continues to deliver exciting and unpredictable moves, with some of the competition’s biggest names still uncontracted and in search of a new deal.
Monday morning saw a pair of eye-catching moves hit the news, and a big shift for the Tasmania JackJumpers, who are building towards a different look next season.
Defensive specialist Matt Kenyon has crossed the bass strait, departing the JackJumpers after being an inaugural member of the team over the past two years. He will join the SEM Phoenix on a two-year deal, and should bring plenty of spark on the defensive end.
It was an area in which the Phoenix were lacking in their disappointing finish to the 2022/23 season, often conceding big scores to some of the competition’s best. For the JackJumpers, Kenyon was frequently tasked with taking on the league’s big guns, and shone with smothering performances against the likes of Bryce Cotton.
Under new head coach Mike Kelly, the Phoenix are looking to implement a stronger defensive game, and the addition of Kenyon further emphasises this. The 25-year-old has played under Kelly in the past at a Uni Games tournament, so the pair already have an established relationship that should convert to the court.
The second move of the morning saw the JackJumpers look to fill Kenyon’s shoes with the acquisition of Anthony Drmic, who will bring a wealth of experience to a Tasmania side that has been yearning for a veteran presence at times.
Drmic has 199 games of NBL experience to his name, and has proven a valuable contributor on any team he has suited up for. The guard joins the team on a one-year deal and should be a vital cog for Scott Roth‘s side.
He joins the JackJumpers after his latest stint with the Adelaide 36ers, where he has spent most of his NBL career. In the 2022/23 season, he posted numbers of 10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 25 appearances.
Roth will call on Drmic in some big moments, with the guard showing some serious offence over the course of his career. When Josh Magette was injured for the finals, Tasmania yearned for an experienced head at various stages, and that veteran presence will be filled by Drmic, who has been open about his desire to claim a title by the time his career finishes. The JackJumpers still see themselves among the contenders, so it seems a strong match.
NBL25 Next Star Watch – Round 9
IN A drama-filled round of the National Basketball League (NBL), the Next Stars were as solid as ever across the span of the weekend. The next generation of basketballers are making a name for themselves at NBL level, and as the season has progressed, a more even spread of young guns are producing consistent performances. […]
Wildcats break even in ninth round
THE PERTH Wildcats entered Round 9 with a battle against a rolling SEM Phoenix side, but welcomed back star guard Bryce Cotton who wasted absolutely no time getting back into his rhythm dropping 33 points, five rebounds and four assists. They overcame a relatively slow start by posting 40 second quarter points and didn’t look […]
NBL25 Wrapped – Round 9
THE NINTH round of the National Basketball League (NBL)’s 2024/25 season had it all, leaving plenty to unpack as the competition enters a week off for the FIBA qualifying window. Although there were only six games that took place over the weekend, there was plenty of action throughout the span of Friday and Sunday, with […]
Wildcats and Lynx looking for crucial wins
REIGNING MVP Bryce Cotton is set to return on Friday night as the Perth Wildcats tackle the SEM Phoenix at RAC Arena. Perth’s superstar has missed the last five games after suffering a fractured rib in the Round 5 loss to New Zealand. Cotton said that the injury changed the way he was living day-to-day, […]
NBL25 Next Star Watch – Round 8
ROUND 8 of the 2024/25 National Basketball League (NBL) season saw some Next Stars get some increased responsibility for their respective sides over the course of the weekend. With seven games taking place over the span of Thursday and Sunday, the teams were back in action with some cracking upsets produced over the weekend. The […]
Split results for WA sides on Saturday
WESTERN Australia watched its two basketball sides split results on Saturday night, with the Perth Wildcats falling to Melbourne United and a vintage Chris Goulding performance on Saturday night, while the Perth Lynx took care of business in Adelaide, comfortably handling the Lightning 92-78. The Cats have won five games from 11 appearances this season, […]
A Chris classic as Goulding gears United
ROUND 8 of the National Basketball League (NBL) saw one of the best scoring performances in competition history, with Chris Goulding erupting to help Melbourne United pull off a comeback win over the Perth Wildcats. United hosted the Wildcats at John Cain Arena on Saturday night, fresh off a high-scoring win over the Brisbane Bullets. […]
NBL25 Wrapped – Round 8
IT WAS a great weekend to be a home side in the National Basketball League (NBL), with Round 8 seeing most hosting teams secure a win in front of their adoring fans. There were seven games that took place from Thursday to Sunday, as the action continued to be extremely unpredictable in nature. Whether it […]
Mixed results for Western teams
WEDNESDAY night brought Fire to Bendat as the Perth Lynx hosted Townsville in the opening WNBL game of Round 2. Both teams entered after strong victories in the first round of the season, Perth hosting their second straight home game and Townsville travelling for the second consecutive week. Much of the opening quarter of basketball […]
