Tasmania JackJumpers NBL25 Preview: Defend the Island & the Championship

Tasmania JackJumpers NBL25 Preview: Can Tassie go back-to-back?

The Tasmania JackJumpers are gearing up to take on the nearly impossible task in NBL25—winning back-to-back championships. Losing their Club and Finals MVP, Jack McVeigh, is a tough blow for the team, but head coach Scott Roth has brought in some new talent that should fit well into his defense-first system, the same approach that helped the JackJumpers win it all last season.

Winning the championship in Game 5 against the heavy favorites, Melbourne United, made it even sweeter for the first-time champions, the Tasmania JackJumpers. They took the title in just their third year in the league after coming so close in previous seasons.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing for Tasmania. They kicked off the year strong, only to hit a worrying slump in January. Fortunately, they bounced back, finishing the season with four straight wins and securing third place, which gave them home-court advantage for the Seeding Qualifier.

One of the biggest stories of the season was the rise of Jack McVeigh, not just in Australian basketball but on the global stage. The power forward was named the club's MVP and also took home the NBL Finals MVP, averaging 17.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.

It wasn’t a one-man show, though. Strong offensive performances from Milton Doyle and Jordan Crawford helped too. But in the end, it was the JackJumpers' defense that sealed the deal. They ranked first in the league, holding opponents to just 85.5 points per game and making it tough for anyone to score, especially from beyond the arc.

Filling the void that is Jack McVeigh

The JackJumpers lost two key pieces from their championship team, with both Jack McVeigh and Marcus Lee moving on.

McVeigh will be a tough loss, as he's headed to the NBA on a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets. Not only did he post career-best numbers, but he also played a huge role in developing the younger players. He was their go-to guy in clutch moments, like the buzzer-beater in Game 3 of the finals against Melbourne.

Marcus Lee, another major contributor, especially on defense, has also left. Known for his ability to lock down the paint and grab rebounds, Lee was a crucial part of their success. However, he did struggle with foul trouble at times.

Despite these losses, the JackJumpers have managed to keep the core of their championship team intact.

With McVeigh headed to the NBA, Tasmania has some big shoes to fill. Their key signing, Craig Sword, is expected to step in, while Anthony Drmic or Majok Deng will likely be promoted to fill the 3 and 4 spots.

Sword is a defensive specialist from the G-League, and the idea is that his defensive efforts will free up Milton Doyle to take on a bigger offensive role and make up for some of the points McVeigh contributed.

With Marcus Lee gone, Will Magnay will see more minutes at center, which is a good sign. Magnay ended last season strong and even earned a Boomers call-up for the Olympics. Gorjok Gak, coming in from South East Melbourne, will likely serve as his backup in more defensive situations.

Can the JackJumpers Defend the Title?

Winning back-to-back championships is never easy, and losing both your club MVP and Finals MVP doesn’t make it any easier. But that’s the challenge Scott Roth’s team is facing as they head into NBL25.

The JackJumpers have brought in more defensive-minded players who fit well into Roth’s system, but the big question is whether they’ve done enough to replace McVeigh’s offensive output.

The talent is definitely there. If Will Magnay keeps improving and Milton Doyle and Jordan Crawford can step up their consistency, the JackJumpers could very well be in the running to defend their title when late February 2025 rolls around.

Who Tassie have signed

Brody Nunn (Knox Raiders - NBL1), Craig Sword (Indiana Mad Ants - NBA G-League, USA), Gorjok Gak (South East Melbourne Phoenix), Reuben Te Rangi (South East Melbourne Phoenix), Nicholas Stoddart (Ballarat Miners - NBL1), Archie Woodhill (Sydney Kings)

Who has left the Island

Jack McVeigh (Houston Rockets - NBA), Jarred Bairstow (Brisbane Bullets), Marcus Lee (Melbourne United), Tom Vodanovich (South East Melbourne Phoenix)