Tasmania JackJumpers Secure Emerging Talent Roman Siulepa as Next Star

The Tasmania JackJumpers are excited to announce the signing of forward Roman Siulepa ahead of the 2024/25 NBL Season. Siulepa has signed a two-year contract and will join the JackJumpers as part of the NBL’s Next Stars program.

The 6’7” Queenslander will join the JackJumpers program in NBL25 as the club’s Next Star, the NBL’s program designed to help players develop and grow their game ahead of hopefully making the NBA. 
“We’ve got the utmost confidence in Roman’s talent and trajectory and believe he’ll continue to thrive in our program and in Tasmania,” General Manager Mika Vukona said.

Siulepa was named in the All-Star Five at the 2023 FIBA Under-17 Oceania Championships and was awarded the 2023 Queensland Basketball Male Player of the Year.

The 17-year-old was also named the Bob Staunton Medallist as tournament MVP in the National Under-20 Championships in February, where he helped lead Queensland to a silver medal, before being one of three Australian teens to be invited to the Basketball Without Borders camp at the NBA All-Star weekend in Indiana.

Siulepa has also spent time in elite rugby and basketball programs throughout his junior career; however, the talented swingman has chosen to pursue a long-term career in basketball, with the JackJumpers being his first professional NBL contract.

“Coach Roth and his coaches have a proven record in developing players, in our environment we believe Roman will be given a great opportunity to develop and grow his game the right way, preparing himself perfectly for the next level,” Vukona said.

Siulepa will work with Vukona in Brisbane while he continues his schooling and will arrive in Tasmania in August to begin preseason practice ahead of NBL25.