A key building block in Tasmania’s NBL franchise, JackJumpers captain Clint Steindl bows out in style
JackJumpers super-hero Clint Steindl’s career is over but the club’s NBL championship-winning captain has lifted the lid on some of the locker room secrets behind the Jackies’ success.
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Clint Steindl will never forget the look on Scott Roth’s face when he dropped his retirement bombshell on the JackJumpers’ coach.
The three-point king was the first player recruited by the American basketball maestro, and that gave Roth and Steindl a bond that can never be broken.
After 356 games across four clubs _ Townsville, Cairns, Perth and JackJumpers _ three NBL championships (Wildcats 2019, 2020, Tasmania 2024), the JJ’s inaugural captain and championship-winning leader, Steindl had Roth in tears about his decision.
It was not a conversation Steindl looked forward to.
“We were talking about what the [coming] year looked like and kind of got to the point where I said ‘Scott, this is the way I’m leaning’ _ you should have seen the look on his face,” Steindl said.
“I almost got up out of my seat and walked out.
“We had some more discussions and in the end Scott was very supportive of my decision and obviously disappointed I wouldn’t be going round again.
“I’m sure at moments over the next little while I will feel disappointment here and there because my career is done.
“Ultimately, I get to concentrate on the things that are special to me.”
Roth built Tasmania’s start-up franchise around his star recruit, and what a job they did together.
In their first three years the JackJumpers played semi-finals and two grand final series, ultimately winning the title last summer to write their own chapter in basketball history.
For Steindl, it’s not all about the silverware as he reflects on a 14-year career.
“There’s been a lot of great moments and over the past 24 hours I’ve thought about those moments,” he said.
“It brings back great memories.
“It’s the people you share those memories with, the teammates I’ve had over these past four years and throughout my career in Perth, Townsville and Cairns.
“Those faces continually keep popping up and when I think about the memories I instantly think about the people I did them with.
“I could probably tell a story about each of those people I shared those memories with but I’m just grateful I have been able to share them with so many people, so many teammates.”
Steindl credits Roth’s all-inclusive coaching method for the raging success of the JackJumpers.
“Scotty is an emotional guy and leads through vulnerability,” Steindl said.
“His ability to get me to be vulnerable, not just with coaching staff but with my teammates and allowing a platform to be vulnerable within the group, was in instances what drove this thing – it had nothing to do with basketball.
“It was allowing people to be able to trust each other, feel comfortable within a group no matter how good we were playing or the tough times and adversity we faced.
“We always knew that we’d have each other, and that started with Scott and his vulnerability and making himself vulnerable and opening the floor up for others to share their stories, get to know each other and why we go into battle with each other.”
A slam dunk in his last game convinced Steindl his time was up.
“For the most part I felt I was moving pretty well,” he said.
“But I got a fair bit of stick from the guys after my last dunk effort where it barely got over the front of the rim.
“I kind of put my hand up like I needed to get out of the game.
“Aside from that, my body has been great to me. I have been very fortunate not to suffer too many big injuries.”
Steindl’s best advice for his captaincy successor is “do it your way”.
“You are going to pick up things here and there from everyone, but lean on your experiences, lean on your repetitive behaviors _ what’s got you to this point,” he said.
“You are going to learn some things along the way and ultimately you are in control of how you see this club moving forward along with other leaders in the front office and the coaching staff.”
JackJumpers fans can assume they will see Steindl wearing green on the sidelines at some point as the club looks to keep him involved in the program.
“At this stage I am very open-minded and there will be discussions about what is next in my career,” he said.
“For me right now there is no real rush _ it’s going to be family and finishing off my masters at uni.”
STEINDL’S 356-GAME NBL CAREER
Stats (per game)
Mins: 16.8 Points: Seven Rebounds: 2.1 Assists: 0.9
Field goal percentage: 39 Free throw percentage 88
2012-14: Cairns Taipans
2014-16: Townsville Crocodiles
2017-21: Perth Wildcats
2021-25: Tasmania JackJumpers
Accolades
Three NBL Championships (Perth in 2019 and 2020, Tasmania in 2024)
2016 NBL Most Improved Player
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