The Tasmania JackJumpers made one of the biggest splashes in the off-season by bringing home one of the state’s brightest young stars in Taran Armstrong.<\/p>\n
After beginning his career with the Cairns Taipans, the 24-year-old signed a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors before spending the end of last season in Dubai, placing him as the only Australian on a EuroLeague roster at the time.<\/p>\n
With the star guard locked in to lead the JackJumpers in NBL27, his small stint in the NBA has him hungry for another opportunity.<\/p>\n
“[I’m] always striving to level up and get better\u2026 the NBA is the pinnacle of basketball so of course I want to get there,” Armstrong said on SEN Tassie.<\/p>\n
“I’m still young enough, where if I do a really good job and find my way through, then I could still have a long NBA career potentially.<\/p>\n
“It’s not something I’ve put to bed, but it’s not something at the forefront of my mind either.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Armstrong’s rapid rise since leaving college early to join the Taipans in 2023 has quickly seen him become one of the most sought-after local talents from around the league.<\/p>\n
As the NBL continues to show its ability to give players opportunities in the NBA, he believes that chance resides in the work and taking it in his stride.<\/p>\n
“It’s one of those things where you have to live day by day, continue to improve, and those things will happen organically,” he said.<\/p>\n
“They aren’t things that you can manufacture or force to happen; either it will or it won’t, and I’ll work as hard as I can and see if it does.”<\/p>\n
For now, his mind is focused on representing a state that has wrapped their arms around the JackJumpers since day one, and a fanbase that he’s already familiar with, having been on an opposition team in MyState Bank Arena.<\/p>\n
“I can’t wait [to play there]. It was my favourite place to play when I played for Cairns,” he added.<\/p>\n
“It was always special coming home, and I’d have a lot of family come along. I always got a good reception too, and the crowd got around me, which I was grateful for.<\/p>\n
“It will feel a little different when I’m repping the green with Tassie on my chest; I think that’s going to be a special moment for me personally and for my family.<\/p>\n
“Hopefully I can snag enough tickets for everyone.”<\/p>\n
Tasmania’s first home game of the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season is on Monday, September 21 against South East Melbourne.<\/p>\n
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