Roth Bullish on Doyle Return

Tasmania JackJumpers head coach Scott Roth has re-affirmed his confidence in bringing star import guard Milton Doyle back to the program for NBL24, and has provided an update on the club’s negotiating position with the former Brooklyn Net.

Doyle lit up the NBL in his first season with the JackJumpers, and earned All-NBL First Team honours alongside the likes of championship winning pair Xavier Cooks and Derrick Walton Jr.

He averaged 17.2 points on 44.1 per cent shooting across the season, and helped lead the JackJumpers to fourth position on the ladder and a Playoff Series against the Sydney Kings.

“The update is we’re in a very, very, very, very good position with him,” Roth said. “Obviously Milton has been the number one priority for us for the last four to six weeks as the season has been over and winding down. [Our goal has been] to get him signed.

‘I think we are in an outstanding position with him, and then we can continue to think about Friday (NBL Free Agency) when we can continue to build the rest of the roster out.”

The Tasmania JackJumpers approach the impending free agency period with much of their core group of local talent preparing to suit up for the team again next season.

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Jarred Bairstow, Fabijan Krslovic, Clint Steindl, Sean Macdonald, Will Magnay and Jack McVeigh are already contracted heading into next season, but inaugural player Sam McDaniel declined his player option and will hit free agency.

“I’ve always believed in keeping the core together – as many guys as we can bring back that are local players. That’s what we did last year,” Roth said.

“I think that’s been part of the success of this group, and the culture that’s been built within this group.

“We’ll try and take a swing at all the best players we possibly can that fit Tasmania and fit the JackJumpers culture.”

All player, team and mutual options around the league have been confirmed, with free agency set to open on March 30.