Deng Signing Has Tassie Chasing Title Glory

Thursday, June 29, 2023

New Tasmania signing Majok Deng believes he's "suited" to the JackJumpers' championship ambitions.

Tasmania’s roster is now, for all intents and purposes, complete. 30-year-old former Cairns and Adelaide big Majok Deng has been added to the roster and the side is now rip roaring ready to charge at the NBL24 title.

Deng’s signing is the final of a flurry of additions to the squad – and follows the news of import pair Marcus Lee and Jordon Crawford signing at the club.

The NBL’s newest team has earned top four positions in each of its first two seasons in the competition – and a Grand Final berth in its first ever season in the league.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Majok Deng says "Not in my Snake Pit" ?<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel ? <a href="https://t.co/sQxJOyhaSk">pic.twitter.com/sQxJOyhaSk</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1588460492137193472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Deng says he’s been admiring the quality of the JackJumpers from afar over the past two years.

“Since they got into the league it seemed like they’d been in the league longer,” Deng said.

“They adapted to the league pretty well. The way they play – the style – is something that can suit me.

“I’m an energy guy and love to get into it, and that’s what they do. It kind of matched who I am, and it was a no-brainer for me.

“I’ve been in the league for seven, eight years now. I feel like I can bring leadership and do the little things … this is something that can help the team get to that next stage.”

Deng’s ability to stretch the floor from the power forward and centre positions could prove to be game-changing for Tasmania. Heading into the new season they have a stacked list of players who can play the four and the five.

He will likely be competing with the likes of Will Magnay, Jack McVeigh, Fabijan Krslovic, Marcus Lee, Jarred Bairstow and Josh Tomasi for minutes.

“I don’t want anything given to me or anything promised. I want to work for every little thing,” Deng said.

“He (Magnay) is a highly talented guy and he’s a smart guy from playing against him. For me to be around him and share a thing or two with him, I think he would appreciate that.

“And I can still learn a thing or two from him too because learning doesn’t go one way. I think we can feed off of each other pretty well.”

Tasmania’s first game of NBL24 is set for Friday, September 29 against Perth.