Tasmania JackJumpers star Milton Doyle on decision to re-sign

His signature was the key to unlocking the Tasmania JackJumpers off-season movements and now Milton Doyle believes they have the roster to challenge for an NBL title.

Tasmania JackJumpers star Milton Doyle says it was an easy decision to return to the JJs for the next two seasons and believes the roster assembled this season has what it takes to win a championship.

Doyle returned to Hobart on Wednesday to join the rest of his JackJumpers teammates for pre-season after playing in the Basketball Super League in Turkey during the off-season.

Milton Doyle shined in his first season as a JackJumper in NBL23. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

While there was much speculation surrounding Doyle’s return to the competition’s newest franchise after an outstanding first season in the NBL, the 29 year-old said it was a no-brainer to re-sign with Tasmania.

“Yeah it was easy,” Doyle said.

“I loved it here last season and my family was the same. So it was easy for me to make the decision to return back.”

The re-signing of Doyle was key to the JackJumpers off-season movements with his signature allowing the club to recruit fellow American imports Jordon Crawford and Marcus Lee.

Both are no strangers to their fellow countryman with Doyle believing their additions, along with fellow fresh faces Anthony Drmic, Junior Madut and Majok Deng, make the roster an exciting one to be a part of.

“I know what he (Jordan) can do on the court,” Doyle said.

“His ability to score and pass the ball will make my job easy along with Marcus and what he can do in the paint with blocking shots. So just having other players around like that will make my job easier.

“The size of our team (really excites me). We have a couple of big guys and some shooters and everybody is healthy right now. I think we look stronger.

Tasmania JackJumpers imports Marcus Lee (left), Jordon Crawford (middle) and Milton Doyle (right) arrive in Hobart on Wednesday. Picture: Supplied.

“So yeah, it looks good on paper but paper doesn’t really mean anything until you get on the court together and really gel.”

After averaging 17.2 points, five rebounds and 3.7 assists per game last season, Doyle became the first JackJumpers player to be named in the All-NBL First Team.

But despite his blistering season helping the JJs qualify for a second consecutive playoff series, Doyle wouldn’t buy into the notion that the pressure was on him to lead Tasmania to a second Grand Final series.

“It’s part of the game, scouting,” Doyle said.

“I think after the first five games teams and coaches start to scout so nothing really changes for me.

“Everywhere I go I have to back it up so it’s the same coming back here. I’ll probably play a similar game but hopefully one that’s a little bit easier with these new guys. I won’t have to get my butt kicked to get buckets.”