Crosscourt: NBL boss reveals bold NBA and Asia plans for the Tasmania JackJumpers

The JackJumpers are set to go global, the NBL’s bold plan to become bigger and better, and United coach Dean Vickerman points out the confusion around the coach’s challenge. All that and more in the latest Crosscourt column.

The JackJumpers are set to go global, the NBL’s bold plan to become bigger and better, and United coach Dean Vickerman points out the confusion around the coach’s challenge.

All of that and more in the latest edition of Crosscourt.

Jackies set to go global

The Tasmania JackJumpers have become arguably Australian sport’s most successful expansion club in just three seasons.

Now NBL boss Larry Kestelman plans to take the popular JackJumpers’ brand to the global stage.

Kestelman revealed Tasmania is in the mix to feature in the annual NBL vs NBA pre-season series, while the JackJumpers could also play games in Asia prior to NBL25.

“I actually think the biggest opportunity for the JackJumpers – from a growth opportunity – is overseas,” Kestelman told Crosscourt.

“I think Asia in particular is huge, so we will be looking to take the JackJumpers on the road and expose them to the world.

“Whether it is the US or Asia, we will be looking at what can be done.

“The JackJumpers brand has definitely resonated and it’s fair to say they’ve become everyone’s second favourite team.

“Even if you’re not a JackJumpers supporter, everyone has an interest in the club.”

Jack McVeigh of the JackJumpers celebrates after making a three pointer from near half court in game three. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

Kestelman is particularly pleased with Tasmania’s success in such a short period. He never thought the JackJumpers would reach two grand finals in the first three seasons, but the precedent for competitiveness was set in the franchise’s infancy.

“Three years ago it was a team that was put together with off-contract players and the franchise was announced in the middle of Covid,” he said.

“What this team stands for – none of it happens if it didn’t have a strong foundation around the business of the basketball.

“So, I’m proud not only what has happened on the court, but also off the court.”

NBL’s bold plan to become bigger and better

A record breaking season has helped the NBL firmly stamp itself on the national sporting radar, but this is just the start.

That’s the view of league boss Larry Kestelman, who says the men’s domestic basketball competition hasn’t only arrived on the national sporting stage, but has bold plans to become bigger and better.

It comes as the NBL broadcast is up around 30 per cent from last season.

Sunday’s Game 5 grand final decider is the 40th sellout of the season.

More than one million fans flocked through the gates for the first time since 1996, while the league recorded its highest average attendance in history during the regular season (7,131) and had a 15 per cent uplift on last season.

Fans rally behind the JackJumpers in game four. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

Kestelman detailed the NBL’s vision for aggressive “growth” via expansion into areas like the Gold Coast and various initiatives to further shine the light on a booming basketball competition.

“The league is sustainable now and it’s a great product,” Kestelman said.

“We’re globally recognised and we’ve absolutely arrived as a tier-one sport, so I couldn’t be more proud with where we are at but we’ve just begun.

“Stay tuned because the league is going to continue to grow and grow. We’ve got an amazing foundation and this season is just another explanation mark on where we are going.

“We’ve got plenty of initiatives to announce and we’re going to really give this thing a shake.”

Coach’s challenge confusion

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman says league-wide confusion about the coach’s challenge has forced mentors to reassess their strategies.

Scott Roth, along with large sections of the Australian basketball public, were left flummoxed when the Tasmania coach challenged a game four foul on Anthony Drmic, in what looked like a clear case to be overturned, only for the replay centre to stand by the referees’ decision.

Roth feels like challenging calls has been a crapshoot all season.

Dean Vickerman says there is confusion around the coach’s challenge. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

Vickerman said United’s philosophy had shifted to keep the challenge safe until late in the game.

“The challenge is such an interesting thing,” he said.

“There’s times in the game when you’re talking to coaches and just looking at it, you’re like, ‘oh, we probably would have won that one’, but saving those time-outs for when you really need them at the end of the game, for a challenge, to get on the same page or even to rest people.

“To lose one early and to not have a time-out in the fourth quarter, it’s really got back to what it’s mean to be and that’s something in the close out of a game that can affect the result – can you get that call to just help you a little bit.

“To do that, though, you’ve got to play good basketball to keep it close late and then make sure you’ve got enough time-outs to get all of those things done.”

Roth nails tough Tassie brief 

Scott Roth deserves praise for transforming the Tasmania JackJumpers into an NBL force, but Roth’s greatest achievement is following the head office’s vision for the club.

Boss Larry Kestelman has built the NBL ‘brick by brick’ through hard work and determination – a mantra he wanted the JackJumpers to mirror.

“The mandate that I gave on day one is that this club is to have the grit to be quintessential Tasmanian,” Kestelman said.

“They’re not showy or flashy people. Tasmanians are all about doing the work, they’ve got a bit of a chip on their shoulder and it’s us against the mainland.

Scott Roth addresses his players Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images.

“That grit is what has helped the JackJumpers succeed. From minute one to 40 – the JackJumpers do the work.

“And that is who I am as well. I’m a worker, so I love that Scott has taken on what I’ve asked him to do and he has completely embraced it.

“He has ingrained that work ethic. This is a worker’s club. You want to do it through hard work and perseverance, this is your club.

“If you want to be on the front page as an individual, that’s not what this club stands for.”

Originally published as Crosscourt: NBL boss reveals bold NBA and Asia plans for the Tasmania JackJumpers