Another former Wildcat joins the JackJumpers, who have nearly finalised Australian contingent

Another Perth NBL player has joined former assistant coach Scott Roth at the JackJumpers, who are close to finalising deals with a Cairns forward and former Hobart Charger excitement machine

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TASMANIA has all but finalised its Australian contingent for its inaugural NBL season just a week and a half into the free agency period.

The JackJumpers unveiled their fourth official signing on Wednesday, with coach Scott Roth’s connections at Perth luring another former Wildcat Jarred Bairstow to the new franchise.

He joins Clint Steindl and lead assistant Jacob Chance in swapping the red jersey for green, with big man Will Magnay also expected be announced in the coming days.

Jarred Bairstow, who has signed with the JackJumpers, looks on from the bench during game two of the NBL Grand Final Series between the Perth Wildcats and Melbourne United. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Sam McDaniel and Jack McVeigh are the other two confirmed players on the main roster alongside local development player Sejr Deans.

A further two players are also understood to have either signed or be on the verge of completing deals.

Cairns forward Fabijan Krslovic and former Hobart Chargers excitement machine Jarrad Weeks are both set to join the JackJumpers.

Fabijan Krslovic (left) is believed to be joining the JackJumpers from Cairns. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Bairstow — brother for former Chicago Bull and 2016 Olympian Cam — has signed a three year deal with Tasmania.

He joined Perth last December as an injury replacement player for Majok Majok, going on to play 38 games last season (starting in 17) an averaging 1.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.

The 28-year-old said the link with Roth was a major factor in defecting south to help build the JackJumpers culture.

“Obviously I’ve had a bit of a relationship with Scott, having been around him in Perth and sort of knows what he brings to the table,” Bairstow said.

“I’m pretty excited to get down there and help build the culture, the team and build a new franchise.

“It’s always interesting when you have to come in and lay a foundation but it is an exciting challenge. And I think that’s the way you’ve got to approach it, it is a challenge and it is something that we want to build that culture to compete with those elite teams.

“Knowing Scott previously was a big plus in terms of I know what I’m going to get from him, I know what he expects.

“Anytime you come to a new system, a new environment, you want to go into training camp on day one and show what you’ve got, then figure out what the team needs.

“I think that’s the order it comes in and then at the end of it be happy with the decision that Scott makes.

“I’ll be doing everything I can to put myself in the best position possible to help the team and do whatever Scott needs.”

Krslovic, 26, had a breakout campaign with the Taipans this year, sparked by the first double-double of his career in an upset victory over Sydney in March.

And Weeks — who finished the 2020-21 season with the Kings as a replacement player after being cut from New Zealand’s squad — is no stranger to Tasmanian basketball fans, having dominated for the Chargers in 2016.

Jarrad Weeks (left) is set to return to Tasmania, where he played for the Hobart Chargers in 2016. (AAP Image/David Rowland)

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