How Roth’s family “saved” him

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

An emotional Scott Roth has opened up on how his wife and daughter saved him from his darkest moment before the season began.

As Roth was preparing to begin the campaign coaching the Tasmania JackJumpers, the toll of not seeing his family for over a year was having a major impact on his wellbeing.

It got to the point where Roth admits he wasn’t sure if he could coach, but the announcement of borders opening, and the impending arrival of his family to Tasmania, provided the necessary light at the end of the tunnel.

“My wife and daughter, they kind of saved me. They got me mentally back to where I should be and ever since then it's been incredible,” Roth said, via The Examiner.

“When you're away from your wife for 14 months and your daughter for 18 months…the last month before the Blitz started, it was getting difficult for me just mentally to see if I'd ever actually get home to see them.

“The last game after Cairns and the Blitz, I drove back from Launceston to Hobart, and I was basically done.

“Clint (Steindl) tried to get in the car with me because I left so quick, and I told him 'no'. I drove two and a half hours and all I was thinking about was going to the airport and going home.

“I had mentally spent myself. I was crashing and burning.”

Roth’s family is back in America and were watching in jubilation as the JackJumpers locked in a miraculous Grand Final berth on Monday night.

“The first thing that ran through my mind was obviously my wife and daughter back home, who are up in the middle of the night during these last two or three weeks watching every moment, and texting me after the game,” Roth said.

“I had a little quick FaceTime with them on the floor (at John Cain Arena) which was incredible, and I wouldn't be here without them, they saved me when I was ready to pack it in here.”

Tasmania will meet the Sydney Kings in the best-of-five Grand Final series, with Game 1 on Friday night at Qudos Bank Arena. The game will be broadcast live at 7:30pm AEST on ESPN and Kayo Freebies.