Taran embracing living the dream at JackJumpers

Taran Armstrong grew up proudly Tasmanian but never had a professional team to shoot for, but now he couldn’t be more proud to be representing his state with the JackJumpers and knowing every youngster now can dream of playing for them or the Jewels.

Armstrong dedicated himself to basketball when he was 11 and knew that's what he wanted to do for a career, but at that point the JackJumpers were nothing but a pipe dream and playing professionally for a Tasmanian team looked nothing but a fantasy.

That now has changed with the arrival of the JackJumpers with the entire state of Tasmania embracing them, and that's what makes Armstrong so proud to be the first homegrown talent to now be a fully rostered player at the club.

Before returning home this season with the JackJumpers, the 24-year-old from Burnie has already crammed an awful amount into his career having come through the Tasmanian junior ranks to then going to college at California Baptist University, playing at the Cairns Taipans and having a stint in the NBA at the Golden State Warriors.

But playing for the JackJumpers ever since they were created was a dream of Armstrong and now not only is he doing that in NBL27, but he's starring putting up 20.0 points, 5.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds across the opening four matches of which three have been wins.

To be the first Tasmanian to be a fully rostered JackJumpers player is an honour he doesn’t take lightly.

"It's a massive privilege and I've spoken about it a lot since I've signed, but when I grew up on the north-west coast of Tassie I didn’t really have access to high-level basketball," Armstrong said.

"Obviously my dad and my uncle were really talented players, but SEABL was the peak level of basketball in Tassie at the time.

"So for me growing up I didn’t have anyone that I could see or look to or see at that really high level of basketball that I wanted to chase, and a lot was left to the imagination.

"I think it paid off because it made me work so, so hard because I didn’t really know what it was like. I really strived to be as perfect as I could, but it's a unique thing now that kids in Tassie can see us guys and girls in the NBL and WNBL.

"They see the work we do in the community and they get to see and feel and interact with us, and it's such a difference-maker.

"I went to a couple of rogue towns in Tassie I didn’t even know existed and kids were wearing Jackies jerseys, and it's surreal how much support and the kids get around it. I'm very, very lucky to be a role mode for this next group of kids coming through."

Making big plays late

Armstrong isn’t just content in enjoying getting to play back with his home state team, but his competitive drive means he wants them to win too.

Now over the last two games he has stepped up in the biggest moments on both occasions including hitting the game winning shot last Thursday night with 5.5 seconds remaining against Melbourne United at MyState Bank Arena.

Then in the overtime win on Saturday night in Brisbane, it was a picture-perfect behind the back pass to find Josh Bannan under the basket that saw the JackJumpers level scores up late to get the game to the extra period.

And in overtime, Armstrong scored nine of the JackJumpers' 18 points. He does live for those big moments whether it's setting up a teammate or taking on the responsibility to score himself.

"I think I'm always trying to make the right play and just thinking back to that fourth quarter, I felt like I made the right plays and don't remember taking a lot of shots late in the fourth," Armstrong said.

"But I remember trying to create some good looks and I think we did that, and I'm more than happy to trust my teammates. If the situation's there, I've hit Nick on a couple of spray outs and I back him to make that every single time and I will keep throwing it to him if they leave him open.

"So it's whatever play feels right in the moment and I'm going to make that. Then there's also a time where you feel like the game's up for grabs here and we need someone to do something, and I'm happy to step up.

"I've had a couple of situations where in tight games we've needed something, and I'll just go do it."

Growing up playing and dreaming

Armstrong's father, Ben, and uncle, Sam, were stars playing in the SEABL back at the North West Tasmania Thunder. That provided both Taran and brother Tre something to always look up to, and to always be around a basketball stadium.

It was early on when Taran dedicated himself to a lifetime in basketball and he's focused on becoming the very best he can be every moment since.

"My dad and uncle played semi-professional back home and I grew up in a stadium," Armstrong said.

"My earliest memories are watching them play and at half-time running out and shooting or playing on the side rims, or whenever I got the chance I'd be shooting.

"It was instilled in me for a long time and I made the decision really early. I was probably 11 when I knew I was going to go and be a basketball player, and I dropped everything.

"I loved footy and athletics and cross country, and all these different sports, but around 11-12 I knew I was going to be a basketball and made the decision early."

Proudly representing Tasmania

Growing up and Armstrong was always proud of where he came from and would represent Tasmania full of heart with distinction with every chance he got.

But he always had that little bit of a chip on his shoulder because he'd always feel Tasmanians getting looked down upon and not taken seriously, and he would always want to prove them wrong.

That has now continued into his professional career and he wants to continue to help the JackJumpers show the rest of the country what Tasmanians are capable of.

"It's so unique and it takes me back to national championships growing up when we were always overlooked," Armstrong said.

"I remember just walking into opening ceremonies and walking past Vic Metro and NSW Metro and the arrogance I could feel from some of these other states was something that I felt early.

"From that moment I always had such a massive pride in where I come from and I feel the support a great deal, and even up here in Brisbane I saw so many fans in Jackies jerseys.

"It was so special and we have a super special fan base, and I'm very lucky that I have the opportunity to play for this team."

Having inspirational captain

As for what's happening on the court, Armstrong is thriving having been entrusted by coach Scott Roth to be the point guard for the JackJumpers this season and is fresh off 29 points, four assists, and 4/7 three-point shooting in Brisbane on Saturday night.

But any point guard is often only as good as his big man and Armstrong couldn’t be happier to not only be playing with the presence of Will Magnay inside, but having him as captain.

"His defensive presence is obviously his massive separator and this game it was definitely the case," Armstrong said.

"They were defending him in unique ways and they sat Tyrell right under the basket and it's not like he's asking for the ball or anything.

"He's still just trying to find it within the flow and he's super selfless, and it's never about him, it's always about the team. I'm very lucky to play with a guy like that."

Excited for room to grow

The JackJumpers have started the new season strongly with a 3-1 record and that's all the more impressive considering the injuries to Josh Bannan, Majok Deng, Ben Ayre, Bryce Hamilton and Anthony Drmic.

And as encouraging as things are looking for the JackJumpers three rounds into the season and ahead of taking on the Illawarra Hawks this Friday night in Wollongong, Armstrong feels they are only just scratching their surface on what is possible.

"It's a combination of low repetitions with the guys so far and how many mistakes we still make, but have been able to still scrap out wins," Armstrong said.

"So both those combine to make it very exciting and every time we watch film I'm sitting there seeing how much room we've still got to grow.

"They seem to be somewhat simple fixes as well so I'm sure we'll have a lot to take from this game as well and we'll keep growing.

"We'll just keep watching film, getting better and cleaning things up, and there's always going to be something else to clean up. We'll keep trying to do that for as long as we can to see how good we can get."