Two-time NBL champion officially joins Tasmania on two-year deal
An NBL veteran is confident he can recapture his sweet shooting best — as well as provide an experienced head in the locker room — after joining the JackJumpers. LATEST SIGNING >>
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LEAVING one of the best sporting organisations in Australia wasn’t an easy decision for Clint Steindl but the NBL veteran is looking to use his experience to fast track the JackJumpers locker room.
Steindl officially became Tasmania’s second player signing of the free agent period on Monday, joining the newest franchise on a two-year deal.
He joins inaugural main roster addition Sam McDaniel, with Perth teammate Will Magnay and Adelaide 36er Jack McVeigh both linked to the club.
The Wildcats have featured in an incredible 35 consecutive finals series, establishing themselves as one of the premier teams in any sport in the country.
But for Steindl — a two time NBL champion during his four year stint out west — the opportunity to start afresh was ultimately too good to ignore.
“It was a tough decision. My wife and I were always excited at the possibility of making a change but we weren’t just going to do it for the sake of doing it,” the sharp shooter said.
“I guess with the number of meetings through Zoom and phone calls with Scott and [lead assistant coach] Jacob Chance, we came to the decision that this is the time to move on, start something fresh, something new.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be heading down to Tasmania to join the new franchise and I look forward to its challenges.
“Moving forward and reuniting with Scott and Jacob down there and meeting the team, it’s exciting for my part of my career, having spent the last four years here in Perth.
“I’ve definitely learned a few things along the way that I think can help establish a new team in this league, but especially in the Tasmanian community.
“Being 32-years-old now and although I still feel very young … if we have a young group with us I can share those ideas that I’ve learned along the way and I think that’ll be one of the biggest changes going forward for me.”
Steindl battled through an injury-riddled 2020-21 campaign, which saw his shooting percentages drop below 40 per cent.
However he is confident he can bounce back to again become a scoring threat.
“It was just one of those seasons where you battle through a few injuries, you try to find some form, you’re trying to get everything heading in the right direction.
“I guess it probably took 28 games to try and just get back on track to my usual self, I finished the season out as strong as I could, shooting the ball really well towards the later quarter of the season and it was just unfortunate another injury popped up.
“But it was a long season, physically, mentally.
“I’m excited to get down there, staying healthy and get back to some good form.”
Tasmania closing in on pair of Perth players as inaugural roster continues to take shape – July 4
THE JackJumpers might have missed one of their key free agency targets from Perth, but coach Scott Roth’s links to the club have still reaped rewards.
Tasmania was close to prising Mitch Norton from the Wildcats last week before the point guard had a late change of mind and re-signed with the red army.
Despite the setback, Roth, who was an assistant to Trevor Gleeson last year, has lured Jacob Chance from Perth to be his lead assistant for the 2021-22 NBL season and two players are set to be unveiled in the coming days.
Big man Will Magnay – who signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans last December and made his NBA debut in March against the Los Angeles Lakers – is understood to have agreed to a one-year deal with the JackJumpers.
And the NBL’s newest franchise is also closing in on a deal with sharp shooter Clint Steindl.
Magnay was crowned the NBL’s most improved player in the 2019-20 campaign while playing for Brisbane, leading to his NBA opportunity.
But three weeks after his appearance against the Lakers, where he went scoreless in three minutes of court time, he was waived by the Pelicans.
The 208cm, 23-year-old joined Perth in May just in time for the Wildcats’ tilt at the title, which ended in defeat to Melbourne United.
Perth issued a statement on Saturday announcing two-time championship player Steindl was not returning next season.
The three-point specialist played 128 games for the Wildcats after joining midway through 2017-18, and was an integral part of the back-to-back championships in 2019 and 2020.
“I’ve absolutely enjoyed my time at the Wildcats and in the Perth community. For the rest of my life I’ll feel proud I’ve been able to play a small part in bringing another two championships to the club,” Steindl said.
“My time here has been a whole lot of fun thanks to my teammates and coaches. Life was made very easy with the help of the front office and the Perth Wildcats board.
“My family and I put a lot of thought into this, and we’ve come to the decision to move on, but we’re super excited about what’s ahead for us.”
The JackJumpers officially announced Sam McDaniel as its first main roster signing last Thursday, while Adelaide 36er Jack McVeigh has also been linked to the club.
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