YOUNG RUSSIAN SENSATION SIGNS AS NBL NEXT STAR WITH JACKJUMPERS

The Hungry Jack’s NBL is pleased to announce young Russian sensation Nikita Mikhailovskii will join the Next Stars program as a member of the Tasmania JackJumpers for the 2021/22 season.

Mikhailovskii is a top European prospect for next year’s NBA Draft and will look to grow his stock while playing in the NBL after working out for a number of NBA teams earlier this month.

The 6’8 guard has played professionally for Russian club Avtodor Saratov in the highly regarded VTB United League since 2017 winning the league’s Young Player of the Year in 2019 and again in 2020.

The 20-year-old has made a name for himself playing for the Russian national team. At the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, he recorded 20 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in a game against Greece, which was the first triple-double at the event since Dario Saric managed the feat in 2013.

Mikhailovskii was also named to the All-Star Five at the 2018 FIBA Europe U18 Championships and to the All-Tournament Team at the 2018 Albert Schweitzer Tournament.

Hungry Jack’s NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said: “We are delighted to welcome Nikita Mikhailovskii to the league as a Next Star this season.

“Nikita is one of Europe’s most promising young stars and he has repeatedly proven himself on an international level with Russia’s national team. Nikita is an NBA level talent, and we are very proud that he has chosen the NBL as his pathway to the NBA draft.

“As our third European Next Star signing for the forthcoming season, alongside France’s Ousmane Dieng (New Zealand Breakers) and Germany’s Ariel Hukporti (Melbourne United), it is clear the NBL has become a prime destination right around the world for aspiring NBA players, through the Next Stars program.

“Nikita joins what is shaping up to be an exciting Tasmania JackJumpers roster as they embark on their inaugural NBL season, and we can’t wait to watch he and the JackJumpers grow and develop in their inaugural NBL seasons.”

Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth said: “We are really excited to add Nikita to our roster for the upcoming season.

“Nikita has been playing at a very high level in Russia and his talent and shooting ability will be tremendous assets to us in our inaugural season.

“To be able to secure a player of Nikita’s talent through the Next Stars program speaks volumes of the program’s power and the credibility of the NBL. We look forward to working with Nikita and developing him as a player.”

Mikhailovskii said: “I’ve heard a lot about the NBL as a rapidly improving league. They are paying a lot of attention to younger players and giving them the opportunity to develop and improve.

"The JackJumpers are a new franchise, but I understand that the team is very ambitious and expects to be competitive in its first season in the league.

"Scott Roth is a well-known coach with NBA and international basketball experience, and we have already had some great conversations.

"The upcoming season will definitely be a huge challenge for me, but I am ready for it."