Deng inks new two year deal

The JackJumpers are pleased to announce forward Majok Deng has signed a new 2-year contract to remain in Tasmania until at least the 2025/26 NBL season.

“I’m really excited to stay in Tassie and continue to build on the success we’ve had this year” Majok said.

“Tasmania has been amazing; the state and the people have welcomed me and my family here and we’re really excited to be coming back and have that security over the next two years” Deng said.  

“It’s not just the on-court stuff, it’s the off the court stuff as well that made the decision to come back very easy. My family love it, my son Junior particularly, everything is JackJumpers for him, so it’s a no brainer to continue that and it’s very special to me”.

After a season plagued by a serious ankle injury sustained during the club’s Christmas Day game, the 31-year-old played a crucial role in the JackJumpers finals run, on the way to the Tasmania’s first NBL Championship.

He most notably hit 15 points in a 4^th quarter masterclass in Game 3 of the Championship series, which kept Tasmania in touch with United, before Jack McVeigh’s miracle shot sealed the win and turned the series on it’s head.

Reflecting on the performance which was prompted by a knee injury to five-man Marcus Lee, Deng said he embraced the ‘next man up’ mentality that has been integral to the JackJumpers resilience and success.

“That’s one of the best things about this group, it’s never about the starting five. It’s about stepping up when your name is called, and the depth of the group is where our real strength is. It was proven in this series, and we’ll continue to prove it in seasons to come” Deng said.

The South Sudanese national will put his best foot forward in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, in the hope of representing his home country.

Deng was a key part of the South Sudanese team that won the country’s first ever FIBA World Cup game in August last year and made history by being the sole African nation to directly qualify the Olympic Games.

“It’s probably the best 12 months I’ve had, apart from my kids; winning at a World Cup, an NBL Champion and now going to the Olympics, I can’t wait to go out there and represent my country, it’s a real high for me. It’s not just an individual thing, we’re playing for the whole nation” Deng said.