Tracy Village Jets star Jerron Jamerson cannot wait to play for Mackay Meteors in NBL1 North
EXCLUSIVE: Jets star Jerron Jamerson says playing his entertaining and physical brand of basketball “without a leash” will see him excel under Joel Khalu at Mackay Meteors.
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“OH man, I can’t even put into words how excited I am”.
This was star swingman Jerron Jamerson’s response when asked how excited he was to be playing for Mackay in this year’s NBL1 competition.
For someone who was the 2020 Darwin Basketball Championship MVP, a two-time DBA winner with Ansett and Razzle and, before that, represented Moncton Miracles in the NBL of Canada and led the scoring for Goshen College in the US Mid-West at Division II level, it’s a big statement.
But it’s an insight into just how confident the 28-year-old is that he can still achieve his dream of playing in the NBL.
Kylie Duggan and Jerron Jamerson named Darwin Basketball Championship MVPs
The NT News rates the performances of the eight men’s Darwin Basketball sides
The NT News rates the performances of the eight men’s Darwin Basketball sides
“I’m happy but I’m also ready for this opportunity and I want to keep pushing forward,” Jamerson told the NT News.
“I’m looking to take that next step and this move will give me a chance to fully showcase my abilities.”
Jamerson said linking up with Meteors coach Joel Khalu would present him with the perfect opportunity to showcase his all-round court skills which saw him finish the highest average pointscorer (28.16 per game) for the runner-up Jets in last year’s Championship campaign.
“The No.1 reason why I chose Mackay is my relationship with the coach,” said Jamerson, who entertained Top End crowds every week and relishes the responsibility of being a go-to scorer.
“Joel believes in my ability and he’s going to play me without a leash.
“I feel like if I can play that way and with freedom I’ll be in the best position to help out the team.”
Jamerson said it was a bitter-sweet feeling not being able to go back home to South Bend Indiana to see his supportive family due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
But with quality American imports like himself now in demand due to travel restrictions, he now has a better opportunity than ever to become a fulltime professional player.
“When I left the US, I signed up for the unknown. So my mum and dad understand why I can’t go back home and I can’t explain how grateful I am for that, as well as my grandmother and sister,” Jamerson said.
“At the end of the day they just want me to do what’s best for me.”
Jamerson said he was looking forward to the prospect of linking up with Freddy Webb at Mackay, the two combining to win the 2016 Championship with Ansett in the early stages of Webb’s senior career.
Like Jamerson, the 21-year-old guard has progressed to now be in the elite top bracket of players in the Top End.
“Freddy was one of the first people I met when I arrived in Darwin, and we won my first championship DBA together,” Jamerson said.
“He’s been like a little brother to me. He always brings a high intensity and is so competitive.
“He went to the US to play (with Central Maine Community College in 2017-18) and learned a lot over there, and now he’s an absolute professional.
“When I first met him he barely had any muscles, but he changed his mindset and now he leads by example.”
If Jamerson has played his last DBA game, he leaves Darwin with plenty of great memories.
“Winning two championships are standouts for me, and getting the competition MVP last season was really big because there were a couple of times previously I missed out on it.
“So that was really good for me.
“I feel like I’ve definitely maxed out my potential playing in Darwin.”
Jamerson’s Top End legacy is to work hard on the court and be a good person off it.
“I always tell the young kids it doesn’t matter how good you are - if you’re a bad person you won’t go anywhere in sport,” he said. “If you don’t choose to be humble the universe will react to that.”
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