Roth wins coveted Coach of the Year Award

The Tasmania JackJumpers Head Coach Scott Roth has been awarded the coveted Lindsay Gaze Coach of the Year in the National Basketball League.

Roth was announced as the winner at the NBL Andrew Gaze MVP Awards Night on Wednesday as part of a prestigious ceremony broadcast on ESPN.

“It’s a great honour to accept this award. I greatly respect and admire the two other finalists in Dean Vickerman and Chase Buford, they’ve had incredible seasons with their respective groups and I look forward to competing against them in the Finals” Scott Roth said.

“This award really needs to go to my coaching staff – Jacob Chance, Mark Radford, Jack Fleming – they have worked tirelessly to get the best out of our guys and I just really appreciate their work and their friendship. I try to stay out of the way, so this award is really theirs”.

Roth and his coaching staff led Tasmania to 17 regular season wins to qualify for an historic NBL Finals berth in the club’s inaugural season.

“The success of this group comes down to the character of our guys and the culture they’ve been able to create in such a short space of time together.

“It’s a joy to come to work when you have such buy-in from every single person. It’s been one of the highlights of my career to lead these guys and be a part of something so special for not just us, but for the state of Tasmania” Roth said.

Roth watched the ceremony in Melbourne on Wednesday night as the team prepare for an historic Semi-Final Game One against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena.

“The award is great recognition for what Scott has been able to do with this group and the sacrifices he has made to be here in Tasmania” CEO Simon Brookhouse said.

Meanwhile, JackJumpers Guard Jack McVeigh was awarded the NBL Game Time by Kmart Award for his work in the community.

The shooting guard has had a breakout season in the NBL and has wholeheartedly embraced his new home in Tasmania and the JackJumpers community.

JackJumpers CEO Simon Brookhouse said McVeigh is a deserving winner in the club’s inaugural season.

“Jack’s energy is just incredible. He has been amazing in engaging the community with our brand and bringing them into the JackJumpers family.

“You can’t help but feel happy when you’re talking to Jack and I know he’s had a huge impact in our community in our first season. He’s the ultimate ‘energy guy’ and brings a positive attitude to every school, club and community visit” Brookhouse said.

McVeigh said the recognition for how the whole team has got out into the community and how Tasmanians have really embraced them.

“I just love getting out and seeing kids get involved in basketball. It’s brought me so much joy and I want to give that joy back.

“If I can make one kid’s day or get one kid motivated to shoot some hoops, it just makes me incredibly happy.

“I’ve started actively practicing gratitude this year, writing down who I want to be as a person and part of that is being inclusive, being generous, being a good friend and I feel like it’s helped my basketball too. I just want to be the very best version of myself. 

“It’s been amazing to see how the state has supported us. I think that’s a credit to how the front office staff have helped get our brand and our values out there and how passionate Tasmanians are about their team. It’s so fun to play in front our crowds and interact with them.”

JackJumpers Guard Josh Adams was named in the All-NBL Second Team after averaging 16.6 points, 2.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game in the Regular Season.

“Josh has had a fantastic season with the JackJumpers and we’re delighted he has been recognised as one of the League’s best players” Simon Brookhouse said.

“He really has become crowd favourite and embraced and elevated the passion of the Tasmanian fans. We’re looking forward to a big finals campaign from Josh and the rest of the guys”. 

Tasmania JackJumpers face Melbourne United in Game One of the 2021/22 Hungry Jack’s NBL Semi-Finals Series on Thursday Night at John Cain Arena.