JackJumpers still chasing local talent as Walter Brown returns

Young Kiwi hooper Walter Brown will return to the JackJumpers after signing a long term deal, while the team admits its still chasing the signatures of a pair of young Tassie stars. FIND OUT THE LATEST.

THE JackJumpers have secured Kiwi Walter Brown on a long term deal as they continue discussions to secure the signatures of sought after Tasmanian pair Tre Armstrong and Kye Savage.

The three-year-deal will see the Christchurch-born Brown secure a Development Player position for the next two seasons before becoming a fully rostered player in the final year, the 2025/26 NBL season.

The 23-year-old, who is currently averaging 10.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for the Cantebury Rams in the NBL New Zealand competition, said he was thrilled to be at the JJs long term.

“I’m really excited to continue my NBL journey with the JackJumpers,” he said.

“I loved my first season and I’m really thrilled to secure a long term deal and have that locked away so I can get to work and have that consistency and security.

“The JackJumpers helped me take my game to another level and I feel like that’s starting to show in games with the Rams and I just want to keep building over the next few years.”

JackJumpers co-CEO Jorrick Chivers said Brown has huge potential.

“Walt’ is one of our most exciting prospects and we’re delighted to secure his signature to keep him in Tassie for three years,” Chivers said.

“Walter was highly sought after in the Free Agency period and we’re really pleased to have him back in our program and we’re confident he will continue to flourish and become important part of the club both on and off the court.”

Tre Armstrong in action for the North West Thunder. Photo: Robert Spencer.

While Chivers kept his cards close to his chest, he said talks were still ongoing with a number of Tasmanians, including Armstrong and Savage, about joining the JJs next season.

“We’ve still got 2 ‘DP’ [Development Players] spots so we are still in conversations with lots of different people and obviously we are hoping to work with those Tassie boys and see if we can get them in the squad. But we’ve also got to keep our options open and be flexible in case those boys decide to turn us down,” he said.

“I don’t want to get into too much detail of the to’s and fro’s of the negotiations but Scott [Roth] was pretty adamant that we are keen to get him [Tre Armstrong] and we are obviously working with Tre and his team and what that might look like and how he might fit with us.”

“We are obviously in dialogue and putting forward offers we think are strong offers to these sort of people and we hope that they pick to come and play with us.”

Kye Savage in action for the North West Thunder. Photo: Robert Spencer.

“But for us it’s about being patient and giving them the time to make an informed decision that suits them as well as also being realistic for us and at some point in time we may need to say to them ‘Are you in or out’ but at the moment we are giving them as much time as we can to make those decisions that work best for them and us.”

Chivers remained positive on re-signing star import Milton Doyle but reiterated negotiations would not resume until Doyle’s current season in Turkey ends in the coming weeks.

He said the team was also currently looking at 3-4 options for their final Australian rostered spot.