For the Tasmania JackJumpers, their NBL26 season is officially over following their loss to Melbourne United.
After battling injuries from the very start of the campaign through to the finals, the JackJumpers attempted to deliver one last trademark performance in what proved to be a challenging season.
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Now attention turns to the offseason and what the roster will look like heading into NBL27. Key names including Will Magnay, Majok Deng and Sean MacDonald headline the local group of free agents, while the future of the import trio of Bryce Hamilton, David Johnson and Tyger Campbell will also be a major talking point.
One certainty, however, appears to be head coach Scott Roth.
Roth, one of the central figures in building the JackJumpers’ culture since the club entered the league, has regularly attracted interest from teams around the world. With one year remaining on his current contract, he was asked post-game whether he expects to return despite those opportunities.
His answer was clear.
“Yeah. I mean, I’ve been lucky enough – I don’t know why – ’cause I am a crappy coach at the end of the day. And it amazes me a tad,” Roth said.
“But, you know, every year, I’ve gotten tremendous offers to go some other places. I have another year in my contract and I’ll be back to open up that high-performance centre in Tasmania.
“The money can wait to go chase that. I can do that anytime I want to but I plan on being back.”
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For Roth, the opportunity to coach in the NBL is something he does not take for granted, particularly given the depth of coaching talent across the league.
“There’s plenty of coaches in Australia that are way better than me. I’m just lucky enough to be this big fat guy that stands up in a place that ended up falling in love with our team,” Roth said.
“And just been lucky, you know – timings, everything in your life – and I hit the jackpot when I got to Tasmania.”
True to Roth’s personality, he also revealed how quickly he is able to move on once the season ends – something that earlier in the season even drew attention ahead of a game against the Perth Wildcats.
“When I walk out this door, the season’s over for me. I don’t linger on it,” Roth said.
“Basketball’s not my life. It’s not – it’s just something I do.
“I’m too old and too wise at this point to worry about a basketball game and what that looks like.
“In about three or four minutes, when I walk out that door, I’m on to my next thing.”
And Roth already has plans for how he will spend his offseason.
“Well, I always go fishing up in the north, which I’ve already had the dates in for that at the end of May – up into Quebec, into the bush and get away from everything,” Roth said.
“I’m trying to smoke 100 cigars if I can in a couple of months.
“I’m really, really excited about seeing her again.” (referring to his daughter)
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“It’s a precious time of the year for me in general ’cause I get to get back with my daughter and spend time with her.”
Despite the challenges of NBL26 – particularly injuries to key players throughout the season – the JackJumpers once again fought their way into the finals and continued to build the culture that has quickly made them one of the most respected clubs in the league.
With Roth declaring his intention to return for the final year of his contract, the JackJumpers organisation – and its fans – can breathe a sigh of relief as attention now turns to the offseason and assembling a roster capable of chasing another championship.
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