Tasmania JackJumpers star Milton Doyle not satisfied despite MVP level start to NBL24

A Tasmania JackJumpers star import has sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition. What he said.

Tasmania JackJumpers star Milton Doyle has sent an ominous warning to the rest of the NBL competition that he can still take his game to another level despite an incredibly hot start to the season.

Doyle has become one of the early favourites for the league’s MVP award with his season average of 19 points, five rebounds and 3.8 assists per game a major reason for the JackJumpers 4-2 start to NBL24.

Milton Doyle has received plenty of praise around the NBL for his start to the 23/24 season (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

But ahead of a top of the table clash against Melbourne United at MyState Bank Arena on Friday night, Doyle was adamant he still had room for improvement.

“(It’s) not how I wanted to (start the season) but I’m playing okay right now,” Doyle said.

“(My shooting) percentage is not there so that means I’m missing too many shots but I think we are gelling well as a team and that’s all I can ask for right now.”

Doyle is currently shooting at 43.3 from the field which stacks up against fellow competition point leaders Brisbane’s Nathan Sobey (40.4), New Zealand’s Parker Jackson-Cartwright (54.3), Sydney’s Jaylen Adams (44.7) and JackJumpers teammate Jordon Crawford (42.2).

When asked if he could go to another level despite his already lofty game winning standards, Doyle responded: “Yeah for sure, I think I can”.

The addition of Crawford is looking to be more and more like a recruiting masterstroke with every passing game, with the American duo becoming one of the most electric and damaging back-court tandems in the league.

And while many may believe Doyle is the league’s MVP after the first five rounds of NBL24, the Chicago native wasn’t so sure.

Jordon Crawford is averaging 20.3 points and five assists per game in his first season at the Tasmania JackJumpers. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

“I’m focused on what’s happening in the right now but I think we have another player in ‘JC’ (Crawford) doing what he does that could be in the MVP conversation as well,” he said.

“It’s a battle within the team to make each other better. It’s been good (to partner with Crawford) and it’s a different style of play than with ‘Jet’ (Josh Magette).

“He (Crawford) gets me open shots and I love watching him play and break down people on offence. It takes a lot of pressure off me just having to do a lot on offence so I like it.

“I’m getting a lot of open transition looks, some easy lay-ups and spot up threes. I didn’t get a lot of those last season so I’m liking that.”

The JackJumpers and United will meet for the second time this season with Tasmania set to head in as favourites after already knocking off Melbourne in round two and currently holding a 3-0 record at home in NBL24.

But despite former NBA star Matthew Dellavedova ruled out of the clash as he recovers from a concussion, Doyle knows they will be in for another battle to successfully defend the island for a fourth time this season.

“It’s right where we want to be right now so we have to keep it going,” Doyle said.

“They (Melbourne) are playing great right now and will do what they’ve been doing so it’s going to be a battle around who’s will to win (is greater) and who’s style of play (is better).

“I think they are similar to us, very physical, and it will be a great game to watch.”

Friday’s match kicks off at 7:30pm.