Jervis happy with his career in NBL
In another life, Tom Jervis is the Taipans’ starting centre for a decade and becomes a fan favourite in Cairns.
In a sliding-door moment for Jervis’s career, the now-Brisbane Bullets centre was overlooked for a roster spot in the Far North way back in 2011 before being snapped up by the Perth Wildcats a year later.
The 30-year-old was selected for a Snakes’ tour of China in 2011 and was even taken in a FNQ Super League draft, second overall, by Saints before returning to Western Australia to play with the East Perth Eagles in their SBL.
Jervis (pictured) cannot remember who got the roster spot before him in Cairns that year as he prepares to play the Taipans tonight.
“Hopefully the club kick themselves about it now,” Jervis said with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek about being overlooked.
“I am sure they do not because they have a fantastic squad in Cairns.”
When the big man did finally land his opportunity with the Wildcats, he found his feet pretty quickly as he received the NBL Rookie of the Year in 2014, an NBL championship season. He backed it up with another title two seasons later.
Jervis, averaging almost 11 points and five rebounds a night this season, would rather look forward than dwell on the past.
“It is crazy how things work out, you miss out on something and then another thing opens up down the track,” Jervis said.
“There was a year or so between my stint with Cairns and then getting picked up with Perth.”