JackJumper JT continues as DP with new contract

The Tasmania JackJumpers will have a full complement of Development Players in the 2023/24 season with the signing of promising big man Josh Tomasi on a one-year deal.

6’10 Tomasi was originally selected through the JackJumpers 2022 Development Player invitational trials prior to last season and showed great potential as a force in the paint in the early stages of NBL23.

“Josh is a great competitor and is always challenging himself and the guys around him. We’re really pleased to secure him as a DP for another season and see him grow even further in our program” Co-CEO Jorrick Chivers said.

A concussion injury kept the 23-year-old off the court for much of the back half of the season, however he has now recovered from his symptoms and is looking forward to a strong preseason ahead of NBL24.

“I’ve been doing great, the body is feeling great now and I’m ready to do whatever is asked of me and continue to build this season” Tomasi said.

“[The recovery from concussion] was tough especially towards the back end of the season, where I felt I had really settled in and wanted to get back out there but that’s life and all part of it”.

Tomasi says the other JackJumpers big men helped fast track his development.

“Coming in everyday and learning.. you just have to dive in, you can’t be one foot in and one foot out. The best thing is I had great guys around me. I had Jarred Bairstow rallying around me or as much as [Will] Magnay beat me up in practice, he would always be there for me or give me something to work on.

“You do your role, you do your job, do your time and you never know what’s going to happen. You just have to stay ready and the best thing you can do is be available… whatever is needed of me, I’ll be there” he said.

Tomasi is currently representing Malta, through his dual citizenship, competing in the ‘Games of the Small States of Europe’ which is being hosted in Malta’s capital, Valetta.

“That’s my heritage, my grandfather is Maltese. He came on a boat from Malta so it’s a really proud moment for me to be able to play the sport I love while representing my Maltese heritage and play for him and play for my family here.

“Our aim is to win the gold medal. I hope we can inspire kids who might have Maltese heritage to pursue basketball and see what’s possible for them” he said.

Tomasi will return to Australia in late June, where he’ll resume his NBL1 South Season with Nunawading Spectres, where he was averaging 10 points and 6 rebounds per game before going overseas.