Crosscourt: Latest news and whispers ahead of Round 15 of the 2024-25 NBL season
With a shiny new AFL toy in Tasmania, the State Government has been urged not to neglect the jewel in their sporting crown, as the JackJumpers’ pursuit of an NBL crowd record exposes a desperate need.
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NBL owner Larry Kestelman has urged the Tasmanian government not to forget about the JackJumpers amid the growing obsession with its shiny new AFL toy.
In three short years, the JackJumpers went from nothing to NBL champions and one of the most successful expansion clubs in Australian sports history.
But, as the rabid ‘Ant Army’ powers the club toward the NBL’s record for consecutive home sellouts, the need for urgent works to expand MyState Bank Arena has become paramount.
With the AFL’s big move into the Apple Isle – and new stadium plans that could exceed $1 billion when all is said and done – the $35 million it would take to complete the fourth side of the old Derwent Entertainment Centre and add an extra 2-2500 seats to its current 4340 capacity is a comparative drop in the ocean.
The JackJumpers have sold out every home game they’ve ever played. The December 29 win over Brisbane the 50th in a row at MyState Bank Arena, with another eight at the Silverdome on top of that.
Townsville, from 1993-97, sold out 67 straight home games, a number the JackJumpers will top next season.
“The JackJumpers are an incredible story for Tassie, the public has embraced the team, they love it,” Kestelman, who owns the club, said.
“This record of sell outs shows there’s demand for the product and we hope the government continues to invest in venues compared to what they’re investing into AFL.
“We’re talking to the government about expanding the venue but it’s the government’s call.
“The commitment by the government to the team over the past four years to the tune of about $10 million is greatly appreciated and we feel has provided and amazing return to the Apple Isle.
“The main investment the government has made is to it’s own venue ($56 million redevelopment).
“The government deserves a pat on the back for having the vision to invest because it’s proved to be an amazing investment and I hope with AFL coming, they continue to invest in basketball.”
Kestelman said a commitment from the government would open the door for another professional sporting club in the state with plans for a JackJumpers-aligned WNBL team in the future.
He said the long quest to sell the JackJumpers was nearing completion, with hopes of an announcement before the end of the season.
“The non-negotiable has been about finding the right custodian for the team,” Kestelman said.
“We could have sold the team five times over already but it never felt right as to who that group would be.
“We are getting closer to that and hope to announce something before the end of the NBL season.
“I want people that will understand Tasmania and the local market. I’ve had to learn, I’ve had to understand how the place operates, parochialism and all the local nuance.
“So, for me, especially for Tasmania, having an Australian owner, preferably Tasmanian, but at least Australian owners that understand the way the place operates, was always a preference, and that’s what I’m working towards.”
COTTON REUNION WITH GLEESON?
It’s widely assumed Perth Wildcats little master Bryce Cotton will end up in Japan at the Chiba Jets next season alongside former coach Trevor Gleeson.
However, Gleeson is on a one-year deal with the Jets and Crosscourt understands he is no guarantee to return to the club.
It doesn’t mean Cotton won’t entertain Japan, even if his ex-Perth coach opts to depart at season’s end.
If Gleeson does opt to re-sign with Chiba then don’t rule out him making a player for his ex-star guard.
The Wildcats, meanwhile, haven’t given up hope of re-signing their champion after tabling an offer of around $1 million in a bid to make Cotton the highest paid player in NBL history.
It’s understood Cotton is set to receive offers from Asia and Europe worth up to $1.4 million, leaving him in a tough position to knock back the dollars.
His recent red-hot scoring run has attracted significant interest from overseas clubs keen to add a world-class shooter to their rosters.
Cotton is now faced with one of the biggest decisions in his career: stay in the NBL for less money to add to his already established reputation or leave to maximise his earnings overseas.
The 32-year-old has previously knocked back the big dollars to stay loyal to Perth, so it won’t be a shock if he does it again.
Cotton has said he won’t make any formal decisions on his future until the completion of NBL25 in March.
NBA SCOUTS HIGH ON AUSSIE NEXT STARS
Sydney Kings Next Star Alex Toohey possesses the “winning pedigree” and “coachable attitude” to be a successful bench forward option for an NBA club.
That’s the opinion of NBA scouts, who on the condition of anonymity due to league protocols, gave Crosscourt their thoughts on Toohey thus far in NBL25.
Scouts from multiple clubs, many of whom have seen the 20-year-old King play in person, believe he has the baseline fundamentals to make an impact.
Toohey – who stands at 2.08 cm (6’8) – has also improved in every major category from last season.
The Canberra-born talent is averaging more points (10.6), rebounds (4.2), assists (1.4), steals (1.4) and blocks (0.8) compared to NBL24.
Scouts can see Toohey being selected as a mid to late first round draft pick. Even if he doesn’t make it in the NBA, many scouts could see him excelling as a “high dollar” EuroLeague player.
Either way, Toohey is expected to fulfil his potential on the professional stage.
Fellow Australian NBL Next Star – Brisbane Bullets big man Rocco Zikarsky – has enjoyed a mixed season.
Zikarsky, 18, is averaging more minutes (11.8), points (4.5), rebounds (3.5) and steals (0.3) compared to last season.
However, many expected the 220cm (7’3) big man to have a greater impact in his second NBL season with the Bullets.
The good news for Zikarsky is that NBA scouts aren’t greatly concerned.
They understand that he is still only young and even if he opts to stay in the NBL for another season it would be better than rushing in to be drafted.
Scouts want to see more activity in the paint from Zikarsky, so finishing at the rim, rebounding, blocking and altering shots.
One scout said: “He (Rocco) has more upside and he isn’t a finished product. Also, NBL minutes are much better than G League minutes for a young big”.
PHOENIX STAKE CLAIM AS NBL’S BEST AHEAD OF CLASH WITH ‘WOUNDED’ KINGS
Move over Illawarra, there’s a new contender for best team in the NBL – and they started the season 0-5.
South East Melbourne’s win over the top-of-the-table Hawks in the ‘Gong on New Year’s Eve took the Phoenix record since Mike Kelly departed to 10-4 – the best in the NBL over that period.
SEM assistant Sam Mackinnon coached the first two of those wins as interim before Josh King was brought in and as the Phoenix prepare to take on one of his mentors in Sydney coach Brian Goorjian, he said clarity had been key in the club’s turnaround.
“What’s expected is black and white and I think that’s been a real big part of the resurgence,” Mackinnon said.
“Whoever’s going at both ends of the floor is going to play.
“Everyone was pretty pumped for Wiesy (Joe Wieskamp, 22 points v Illawarra), Foxy (Joel Foxwell) recently had a career-high and D-Walt (Derrick Walton) sat a bit.
“Josh is not afraid to play you or not play you if you’re not doing what’s expected and I think, for this group, it’s worked really well.”
Goorjian was Mackinnon’s first NBL coach as a 16-year-old at South East Melbourne Magic and he’s wary the legendary mentor’s squad will be “wounded” after Monday night’s loss to Adelaide.
“They’ve got pride on the line but for us we don’t really care too much about what they’re going through,” he said.
“I learnt a lot from Goorj, so I try to take that into how I operate as a person but, from afar, he’s got a really talented team but he’s had a few injuries and he’s trying to find his line-ups and his non-negotiables for his group.
“We’re playing three of the top-four teams on this trip, so for us, we want to get back to winning on the road, getting some good habits, trying to get ourselves into finals.”
All eyes will be on Kings import big man Cam Oliver against the Phoenix after he was benched for the entire second half in Monday’s blowout loss to Adelaide.
Goorjian has challenged Oliver to aim up in the wake of a hamstring injury to fellow big Keli Leaupepe, which will test the team’s depth.
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Originally published as Crosscourt: Latest news and whispers ahead of Round 15 of the 2024-25 NBL season
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