Tasmanian Taran Armstrong signs with Cairns despite JackJumpers interest

He is one of the state’s top basketball prospects but the Tasmania JackJumpers have failed to land the signature of a former American college baller.

Taran Armstrong is set to join the Cairns Taipans on a two-year deal despite interest from the Tasmania JackJumpers. Photo courtesy of CBU Athletics.

The Tasmania JackJumpers have missed out on the signature of one of the state’s best young local ballers with Taran Armstrong signing with the Cairns Taipans.

As reported by ESPN over the weekend, Armstrong elected to sign with the Taipans on a two-year deal despite being heavily courted by the JackJumpers across the free-agency period.

The 21-year-old recently returned home to Burnie following two seasons in the American college system at California Baptist University with many believing the JackJumpers were closing in on a deal with the talented youngster before Saturday’s decision.

Taran Armstrong in action in for the Lancers. Photo courtesy of CBU Athletics.

It’s the second homegrown talent the JackJumpers have missed out on signing this off-season following Hobart’s Tanner Krebs electing to join Melbourne United on a three-year deal following his departure from the Brisbane Bullets.

But while they may have missed out on two locals, they still have another two well within their sights with JackJumpers coach Scott Roth confirming last week they would put forward contract offers to Tarran’s older brother Tre, 23, along with fellow Tasmanian rising star Kye Savage, 17, with both currently playing for the North West Thunder in the NBL1 South competition.

Armstrong, a former member of the NBA Global Academy in Canberra, earned WAC Freshman of the Year honours after his first season at CBU, before averaging 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game as a sophomore.

It’s been a relatively quiet trade period for the JackJumpers thus far from a signing perspective with the only fresh face confirmed to be suiting up next season to be veteran Anthony Drmic.

Anthony Drmic and Jack McVeigh are set to re-team at the Tasmania JackJumpers following Drimic’s signing on a one-year deal. (AAP Image/Kelly Barnes)

The former Adelaide 36ers star signed with the JackJumpers earlier this month on a one-year deal and will re-team with former 36ers teammate and close friend Jack McVeigh in Tasmania.

It’s still unclear if American imports Milton Doyle, Rashad Kelly and Josh Magette will be back next season with Drmic, McVeigh, Will Magnay, Fabijan Krslovic, Clint Steindl, Jarred Bairstow and Sean Macdonald currently on the JackJumpers roster for the 2023/24 NBL season.