The newcomer Jackies star Doyle tips to shine in NBL campaign

They’ll unveil their two new imports in Friday’s season opener against Perth, but Jackies talisman Milton Doyle is tipping another fresh face to make his mark in the NBL. Read his thoughts here.

JackJumper Junior Madut in action during the NBL Blitz pre-season tournament on the Gold Coast. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL)

He’s about to play his first game for keeps with the JackJumpers’ fresh imports, but team talisman Milton Doyle has predicted Junior Madut can be the new face that shines.

The South Sudan international showed strong signs during Tasmania’s unbeaten NBL Blitz campaign he can compliment his lauded defensive prowess by being a scoring option this season.

The JackJumpers begin their campaign with arguably the toughest road trip in the NBL against Perth Wildcats on Friday night.

Doyle, who re-signed for a further two campaigns over the off-season, is joined by fellow imports in centre Marcus Lee and diminutive point guard Jordon Crawford.

Doyle said he had been impressed by shooting guard Madut’s ability to be a two-way threat during pre-season, after he signed with Tasmania after a season with South-East Melbourne.

“Probably Junior Madut (has impressed me most), he looked good the whole pre season,” Doyle said.

“Defensively he’s great, and he made some shots. Just seeing him make some plays on the offensive end - I knew what he could do in defence from playing him last season, but he looks good right now.”

Milton Doyle drives to the basket against NZ Breakers during the NBL Blitz. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL)

Big man Will Magnay’s lingering foot injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined a few more weeks, means Lee will take on more front court responsibility.

Former Wildcat and Nominated Replacement Player (NRP) Majok Majok will also have to step up against his former side in Magnay’s absence.

The JackJumpers face a brutal early schedule against the Bryce Cotton-led Wildcats, defending champions Sydney (home) and Melbourne United (away) in their first three games.

But Doyle is relishing the chance to make a statement early, as a team and individually after a quiet Blitz campaign by the star guard’s standards.

“I think it’s the best place you can start, one of the teams (Perth) that has a legacy,” he said.

“It’s a test for us and a chance to set the tone for the season.

“It’s very important (to start season well) because you never know how the season goes with injury sickness or whatever, we want some wins out of the way early.

“I got a bit of rhythm in the last (Blitz) game, I think everyone scored so it looks good on offence and we do what we do on defence.”

Perth have added some scoring weapons around Cotton this season, the latest forward Kristian Doolittle who joins fellow import Jordan Usher, former Cairns star Keanu Pinder and Next Star recruit Alexandre Sarr.

JackJumpers import Marcus Lee. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images for NBL)

“Bryce is going to get his 15 to 25, we just want to make it as tough as possible,” Jackies assistant coach Jack Fleming said.

“Adding Keanu and their imports is going to be a tough challenge, and we have to be feady for everyone to contribute.

“It’s the type of challenge we want. Go on the road, build some more comaraderie, take it to a team who’s had a long history of success and see what we’re made of.

“Junior and Majok are going to take a bit longer to jel, but we’re really happy with where we’re at.”

The Perth-Tasmania clash tips off at 9.30pm Friday.