Jackies sign gun forward as roster reshape continues

The JackJumpers’ record of improving players helped seal the deal for a former Brisbane Bullet after signing a two year deal with the club. Read his thoughts here.

Josh Bannan has signed with the JackJumpers. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The JackJumpers’ track record of improving players as he chases his Olympic dream was a major reason behind Josh Bannan’s decision to sign a two year deal with the club.

As revealed by News Corp last month, the 24-year-old forward will join Tasmania as the club reshapes its roster after missing the NBL playoffs last season.

Bannan has spent the past two years with Brisbane Bullets, and said the JackJumpers’ reputation for developing players was a huge incentive to sign.

“With Scott (Roth, Jackies coach) you know you’re going to get coached hard, and that’s what he said to me,” Bannan said.

“I appreciate that and I’m looking forward to that. I don’t shy away I have big things I want to achieve in basketball and it’ll be a good place for me to continue to grow and develop.

“It (players improving in Tasmania) was something in the free agency process my inner circle identified, those who go to Tasmania tend to improve as basketball players.

“There’s a number who have left better than when they arrive, that’s impressive for an outsider and an environment I’d love to be a part of.”

Bannan averaged 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds for the Bullets last year, and represented the Boombers in FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.

But he has a far bigger tournament on his mind as a long term goal.

“I want to represent Australia at an Olympic Games. It’s something I’ve dreamed of doing since I was a kid,” he said.

“I continue to work towards that and do what I can to make that a reality.

“Coming into free agency there was a couple of teams I though were great learning spots for my partner (Hannah) and I.

“Talking to Scott and all the staff we felt really confident this is a place I can continue to develop and a community we’ll be happy and thrive in.

“I know there’s a big community feel and they really rally behind the team, we’re lookign forward to that too.”

Tasmania announced earlier this week they had signed former Adelaide 36er Nick Marshall to a two-year deal.

Meanwhile, foundation JackJumper Fabijan Krslovic has found a new home at Melbourne United after Tasmania announced this week his contract would not be renewed.

The centre, who helped take down United in the 2023-24 finals as the JackJumpers sealed a maiden championship, has signed for two years.

“Throughout my entire time in the league, Melbourne has been the club that I feel like has been held to the highest standard, so the opportunity to be a part of that was massive for me,” he explained.

“Getting able to speak to the whole coaching staff and the front office, the vibe and the feeling I got from the club was something that was really exciting to come into,” Krslovic said.

“Playing against Melbourne over the years, the games were always so intense and so physical, “I got a good idea of the type of basketball Melbourne wanted to play and I feel like it was a great fit for me.”

Meanwhile, Tasmania’s women’s team fell to NSW Metro 74-52 in the quarter finals of the under-18 national championships at Queensland on Friday.

Tasmania registered wins over NSW Country and WA Country to make the final eight, but couldn’t pull off an upset against a star-studded NSW Metro.

Tasmania’s men hammered Northern Territory 121-67 on Friday and were scheduled to play WA Country in their next classification match on Friday night.