ACE JOINING JACKS
Tasmania reportedly inks deal with 211cm centre Gak
Tasmania JackJumpers has reportedly made its first move in the NBL Free Agency period with the rumoured signing of big man Gorjok Gak.
First reported by ESPN on Monday morning, Gak will reportedly join the NBL24 Champions on a two-year deal with a team option of retaining the 211cm centre on the second year of his contract.
The impending arrival of the 27-year-old likely means Tasmania won’t retain the services of uncontracted American import Marcus Lee with fellow big men Will Magnay and Fabijan Krslovic already contracted for next season.
Gak played for South East Melbourne Phoenix this past season where he played 17 games at an average of 15 minutes for 4.9 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 5.4 points.
The JackJumpers are yet to officially confirm Gak’s signing.
Gak’s potential inclusion may just be the first of many for the reigning NBL champions despite the majority of the list already locked in for next season.
Local star Will McDowellWhite is set to be one of the biggest free agents with many believing Tasmania may be a destination for the Brisbanenative and former New Zealand Breakers star.
With McDowell-White appearing more likely to land at either Adelaide, Brisbane or South East Melbourne, NBL media’s Peter Hooley believes the JackJumpers’ recent success may be a reason he doesn’t sign with Tasmania.
“My initial thought was South East Melbourne because I think they can offer more to him but thinking what he likes and what he succeeds playing alongside, I think Adelaide is the right fit,” Hooley said.
“I think Tasmania is obviously the right fit (also) because they have Milton Doyle and Will Magnay but a lot of people will have the question of they just won a title so how will that look.”
With game five hero Jordon Crawford currently a free agent, McDowell-White’s decision on potentially joining the JackJumpers may unlock Crawford’s future in Tasmania at the point guard position.
The JackJumpers have already announced the re-signings of MVP Jack McVeigh (two years), Anthony Drmic (one year) and Majok Deng (two years) this post season.