Marshall lives the dream with JackJumpers

Nick Marshall lived out every player's dream when he hit the buzzer-beating game winner for the Tasmania JackJumpers on Sunday but in his first season at the club, he's just focused on embracing the culture.

The 26-year-old South Australian had spent the first four seasons of his NBL career with his hometown Adelaide 36ers after two years at Clarke University with the prospect of greater opportunities luring him to Tasmania.

That's exactly what has transpired with coach Scott Roth high on the potential of what Marshall can provide for the JackJumpers illustrated by him having moved into the starting line-up in recent weeks.

He had been playing some good basketball at both ends of the floor too before breaking out for his best performance in JackJumpers colours on Sunday against the Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena.

That still would have been the case even without what happened in a frantic final seconds, but what that provided was the highlight of Marshall's 86-game NBL career so far.

After Will Magnay nabbed the attempted inbounds pass from Xavier Cooks, he got the ball to Ben Ayre who passed it on to Marshall who was in a full sprint running up the court.

He then got to the rim, was able to pivot and put up the little fadeaway jumper just before time expired for the first game winner of his NBL career.

"That's my first one," Marshall said.

"We were just ready for the inbounds play and then Mags got the steal which was huge, and then I was just running as fast as I could to get down the other end.

"Benny threw me a great pass and I just made the most of that moment. It ended up being just the perfect sequence for us, it was crazy.

"I knew it was close and I didn’t have long, so I was just running as fast as I could to get down there."

The JackJumpers were 16 points down early in the fourth quarter against the Kings on Sunday, but outscored them 20-4 the rest of the way including hitting the game's last 12 points with Marshall proud to now be part of that grit and grind culture.

"There was lots of ups and downs in the game, but we just stuck in there at the end and kept getting stops, and we were able to make a play at the end," Marshall said.

"It's just grit and grind, and we just find a way. We get one stop at a time and keep making plays at the end, that's what we focus on."

It felt like the right time on a number of fronts at the end of last season for Marshall to try something different in his professional career outside of playing in Adelaide on the back of him having a standout NZ NBL season at the Wellington Saints.

He has felt instantly welcomed from the moment he arrived with the JackJumpers and wouldn’t want to be plying his trade anywhere else while now grateful for the opportunities he's receiving as a starter who's playing big minutes.

"I've loved it and it's been awesome since day one. We've all just been focused on our teammates and helping them anyway that we can, and it's all about the culture and putting our teammates first.

"It's really nice to have this opportunity and I'm just grateful for my teammates who are on me, and are encouraging me to make plays. They helped me again in this game and their confidence in me allows me to go out there and back myself.

"I just think I'm making the most of my opportunity and I've got great teammates and coaches around me to give me the confidence to do what I do, and to go out there and play confidently. I've loved being here in Tassie and enjoying what we do here."

So far Marshall has only played in two home games with the JackJumpers for a loss at MyState Bank Arena against Melbourne and a win against the Kings, and he's yet to play in Launceston at The Silverdome.

He will get that first chance on Saturday against the Cairns Taipans, but before that it's the Perth Wildcats in an Ignite Cup match up on Wednesday in Hobart which he's looking forward to.

"It's going to be nice going back home to build some momentum. It's been a long road trip in this first part of the season but now we'll be able to lock back in at home in front of our fans, and I'm excited for it," Marshall said.

"We know they (Wildcats) are a tough team, every team is a tough one in this league, so we're just going to be ready to go for Wednesday night back at MyState. I'm super excited to be back in front of the fans."