Tasmania JackJumpers: Five things you need to know

• Tasmania JackJumpers entered the NBL in the 2021-22 season
• The JackJumpers won their first NBL championship in 2023-24
• They missed the NBL25 playoffs, finishing 7th.

The JackJumpers are the youngest team in the NBL, but they took no time settling in. In just their four-year history, the JackJumpers made the finals twice and even won a championship in 2024. Representing one of Australia’s smallest markets, the JackJumpers are built on unity and a passionate following from the island.

The JackJumpers have blown every possible expectation for their league entry out of the water. But the question now stands, can the JackJumpers capitalise on this run and set a culture to be known as a top tier team for decades to come or will their inexperience and small market catch up to them?

2024-25 Season Summary 

• Record (13-16)
• Finish 7th (Missed playoffs)
• All NBL Selections: -

2025 Off-Season Additions

• Ben Ayre
• Bryce Hamilton
• David Johnson
• Josh Bannan
• Nick Marshall
• Kobe Williamson

Club legend Clint Steindl retired, Milton Doyle took his shot with a contender, and many other players followed them out the door. It’s the biggest personnel shift in the club’s short history and might give some Tasmania fans worry that their next few seasons will bring more of a rebuilding process. 

Josh Bannan is the name that jumps out. After a strong year in Brisbane, the forward brings floor-spacing and rebounding, the kind of player who could quietly become the glue of this new-look group. David Johnson and Bryce Hamilton arrive from the G-League and Europe, both with the physical tools to thrive in Scott Roth’s system if they buy into the defensive grind. Ben Ayre, a proven winner with an NBL1 championship with a chip on his shoulder after being overlooked for a true NBL role for several seasons. He’s undersized and exactly the type of guy Tasmania can turn into a problem.

The rest of the haul is long-term projects that give the team upside on the fringes. 

Potential NBL26 Line-up

1. ‍PG: Sean Macdonald* | Ben Ayre | Brody Nunn (DP)‍
2. SG: Bryce Hamilton (IP) | Anthony Drmic | Nick Stoddart‍
3. SF: David Johnson (IP) | Nick Marshall‍
4. PF: Josh Bannan | Majok Deng‍
5. C: Will Magnay | Kobe Williamson | Archie Woodhill (DP)

*Injured

Team History

The JackJumpers entered the league in the 2021-22 season with their first game being a win over the Brisbane Bullets. This would become a trend for Tasmania as they finished the regular season in fourth place with a 17-11 record. In the semi-finals they upset the 1 seed Melbourne United before being swept by the Kings in the grand final. Still, making it all the way to the grand final in the franchise’s first season is a huge accomplishment.

In 2023, the JackJumpers fell just short of the Grand Final as they lost a game 3 semi-final decider to the New Zealand Breakers. 

It was not long before Tasmania would have their shot at the title again though as they made the 2024 finals with a core of Jordan Crawford, Milton Doyle and Jack McVeigh. With the series tied 1-1 going into game 3 in Melbourne, Jack McVeigh hit one of the wildest shots in NBL history as he launched a near half court bomb to give the JackJumpers a 3-2 series lead. Tasmania would win the finals in another close game in game 5 and bring a title to the Island in just their third season. 

In the 2024-25 NBL season, the JackJumpers started the season off poorly and were not able to recover as they barely missed out on the top six due to point %.

Five Fast Facts

1. The JackJumpers aren't the first Tassie team to shock the NBL. The now defunct Launceston city casino won the title in just their second season
2. Their name comes from the Jack Jumper ant, a venomous ant native to Tasmania, known for its aggressive nature and jumping ability, values the team wants to see in its players
3. After his finals MVP, Jack McVeigh spent a year playing in the NBA for the Rockets
4. Although based in Hobart, they are marketed as a statewide team and play multiple home games in Launceston each season
5. Despite their deep postseason runs, the Jackjumpers never finished in the top 2 of the regular season standings

Club History

• ‍2021-22: Join NBL and make the Grand Final in a stunning debut season.‍
• 2022-23: Reach semi-finals but fall to NZ Breakers in Game 3 decider.‍
• 2023-24: Win first NBL championship behind Jordan Crawford, Milton Doyle & Jack McVeigh. McVeigh’s near-half-court buzzer-beater in Game 3 becomes an instant classic moment.‍
• 2024-25: Disappointing title defense with a slow start 

The JackJumpers have already defied logic, geography, and budget in just a few short years, but sustaining that success is a whole new battle. With their resilient DNA intact and a reshaped roster hungry to prove itself, Tasmania now stands at a crossroads. Can they evolve beyond the underdog tag and build something lasting? NBL26 presents another golden chance for the Jackjumpers to shock everybody.