It is no longer contestable Tasmania JackJumpers, under the stewardship of the head coach, Scott Roth, are the NBL 2024 Champions after flooring Melbourne United 83-81 in the final match of the nail-biting 5-game series. 

Over 7,000 fans thronged into the streets to welcome the newly crowned champions in Hobart on Monday. With the victory frenzy filling the atmosphere the entire JackJumpers fraternity was full of gusto, still in disbelief at what they had collectively achieved for the island, and by extension, the Aussie basketballing enthusiasts community. 

Jackjumpers players and officials pose for a photo with fans in Hobart, on Monday, April 1, during the Tasmania Jackjumpers NBL Grand Final celebrations at MyState Bank Arena on April 01, 2024 in Hobart, Australia.

Only three years after making their debut in the intensely competitive Australian Tier-1 Basketball League, Tasmania JackJumpers win over United in this year’s Championship series is a sporting folklore underpinned by hard work, resilience, determination, and a never-ending pursuit for excellence. 

All along, since their debut season in 2021/22, the JackJumpers have built a solid team. Their head coach Scott Roth has been at the forefront of this build-up with his famous mantra tagline ‘Defend the Island’ coming to fruition on Sunday, 31st March 2024, when they defeated the championship favorites, Melbourne United, 83-81, in their last of 5-game series at the packed John Cain Arena. 

Despite being the latest debutants in the league, JackJumpers have pulled bigger surprises before but Sunday’s victory was least expected. They went against the grain in the 2021/22 season to finish in the runners-up position; in 2022/23 they qualified for the semis, and in 2023/24, they brought it home, amidst historic ‘Title Toast’ in Hobart and the entire island’s streets on Monday, 1st April, a day after winning the maiden title in the most intense series battle. 

Scott Roth’s Reaction As JackJumpers Paint Streets After NBL24 Championship Triumph

‘We have defended the island’, these were Scott’s words after delivering the victory for the Jumpers_earlier perceived as the underdogs, considering they were going head-to-head with regular season league leaders, Melbourne United under the leadership of the accolade-winning, experienced coach Dean Vickerman. 

The seemingly over-elated coach described the victory as an act of valor that thrust Tasmania into the spotlight of NBL history. Quoting his verbatim as celebratory vibes permeated the Tasmania streets, he expressed his deep affection for the island. 

“I’m so proud to represent the state. I love Tasmania. I love what you stand for,” the American said. 

“A big shout-out to my staff, they make me look smart when I’m not that smart to begin with.

“I would not be standing here, running for premier, without them.”

Jack McVeigh: “Defending The Island” From The Frontline 

Jack McVeigh, Tasmania’s undoubtedly Heart-and-Soul since the 2021/22 season was instrumental in the team’s 2024 championship win. He joined the rest of the team players and fans in Hobart on Monday and his flag couldn’t have flown higher. 

Tasmania JackJumpers playmaker, Jack Mcveigh receives MVP award from Dave Stevenson, NBL CEO after JackJumpers win game five of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Melbourne United and Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena, on March 31, 2024, in Melbourne.

He has walked every step of JackJumpers journey, and he couldn’t hold his tears of joy back. Coincidentally, McVeigh was named the 5-series games MVP, winning the sought-after Larry Sengstock Trophy. Perhaps we saw his most remarkable performance in game 3 of the Championship series in which he nailed a long-range three-point winner. 

Speaking to journalists during Monday’s victory parade, described the whole experience as unbelievable. 

“It still doesn’t feel real. It’s unbelievable,” he told the crowd. 

“The three-year journey leading to this … I wouldn’t want to do this for any other club. 

“Now I can sit back and think ‘wow, I might have hit one of the greatest shots in NBL history’.”

Tasmania’s Resilience Key To Their 2024 Championship Crown

While the Tasmania JackJumpers winning fever gripped the island’s environs for the better part of the Easter Monday Holidays, their celebrations started way earlier with memorable victory speeches taking the podium during the Sunday night 83-81 win over Melbourne United. 

The team’s captain, Clint Steindl, was emphatic on how resilience was a key ingredient to their victory. These were his sentiments when he spoke to the journalists in the post-game interview. 

 “Just a gritty performance from these guys,”.  He continued, 

“They could’ve dropped their head with that last game. Just resilient… I’m just  super proud of the group.”

Also, during the Tasmania JackJumpers victory procession in Hobart, Steindl said was lost for words for the fan event which reached its ticketed capacity, describing it as being on another level. 

He thanked the home fans for showing their relentless moral support and being part of their winning spirit from the word go. 

He said, “I’m so glad we could take you along on this journey,”…”This is going to be talked about for generations.”

His coach equally stressed how his men were resilient despite missing the chance to bring it home in game 4. 

It was proven the entire season that you just weren’t gonna be able to put us away,” Roth said. 

“They got up x amount of points, and we reel them back in. We just kept fighting, and our guys kept doing their jobs and believing.”

He continued, It’s why these JackJumpers went through the entire regular season without losing a game by double digits. Whenever there was a big shot, or an important play, or a crucial stop to be made, the JackJumpers, more often than not, seemed to find a way