Development Player candidates impress at trials

Some of Australia’s best emerging athletes have ‘got after it’ at the Tasmania JackJumpers first ever Development Player trials in Hobart.

25 athletes from Tasmania and around Australia were invited after an overwhelming expression of interest process which attracted 150 applications.

“We want guys who wilk complement our culture and our day-to-day environment” Associate Head Coach Jacob Chance said.

“Some of these guys have brought themselves out here, we’ve facilitated some of it, so we’re just really excited to see some of Australia’s best talent coming through and hopefully they help compliment the rest of our roster.

“There’s a good blend of tried and untried NBL guys which have been around some really decent programs and some really good NBL1 talent so it’s really exciting” Chance said.

With NBL22 DP Sean Macdonald already re-signed, the JackJumpers have up to three Development Player positions available to fill before the start of the 2022/23 Hungry Jack’s NBL season on October 1.

“We had Fab Krslovic talk to the group this morning, he’s gone through this pathway, Jarred Bairstow and Sam McDaniel have gone through this pathway, so we’ve got guys who have been through this” Chance said.

“It’s difficult to be a DP in our league, it’s often challenging. It’s a bit unique in terms of day-to-day expectations are quite high, you’re treated like a pro and then you obviously don’t get much game experience, so the characteristics often aren’t basketball related, it’s more what you bring to our environment.

“Are you upbeat, do you get after it, do you compete? We talked a lot about adapting today because it is one of those roles that one day that you get lots of minutes and the next day you stand on the sidelines and watch”.

Among those selected to trial was North West Thunder guard Ben Woolley.  

“It’s been tough, there’s a lot of good blokes around here and I’m keen to get out here an scrimmage and really test myself” Woolley said.

“It’s a huge opportunity and huge for my family being from Tassie.

“I think my competitiveness, I think I hate to lose, and I think that’s what they look for especially in development players. It’s a tough spot to fill and you’ve got to be competitive everyday”.

6’9 centre Deng Gak is hoping to follow in his brothers’ footsteps and secure an opportunity in the NBL after returning from the NCAA College system.

“Both of my brothers play in the NBL now. My older brother in Brisbane and my little brother in Illawarra so it’ll be really cool if there’s a little trio of Gaks playing in the NBL.

“My older brother said go at everyone, try to be the best player out there, just be yourself, be comfortable” Gak said.

Chance said the coaching staff were looking to complete the JackJumpers roster puzzle and continue to build on the success of the club’s inaugural season.

“We’re extremely excited for a big challenge ahead, we laid a good foundation last year but looking forward to adding some new pieces in the next couple of weeks and we’ll see what comes from today, and hopefully pushing forward and keeping the standard that we set” he said.

Successful Development Players will be notified and invited to join the JackJumpers preseason in the coming weeks.