JackJumpers coach Scott Roth proud of his team — win, lose or draw

JackJumpers coach Scott Roth says he doesn’t need a trophy to define him as a success – but would love to clinch the NBL championship on Sunday.

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March 30, 2024 - 5:00AM

Basketball

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Whether the JackJumpers win or lose Sunday’s NBL Championship decider in Melbourne will not change coach Scott Roth’s pride in his players, or his passion for the state the team represents.

Obviously the Tasmania coach would love a championship, but he said it was not the sole benchmark he valued.

Speaking after the JackJumpers went down to Melbourne United by just two points in Thursday night’s game four of the series, forcing a deciding fifth game on Sunday, Roth said the three-year journey had been “amazing.”

Coach of the JackJumpers Scott Roth reacts during game four of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series between Tasmania and Melbourne United at MyState Bank Arena. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

“I’m so proud of them (players) and the impact they’ve had on this island, but I don’t need a trophy to validate myself, or my coaching,” Roth said.

“I’d love to win it for the island and the people here, but the three years here have been amazing.

“It’s been an amazing journey and the players have great fight. I would obviously love to win in Melbourne, but a trophy for me personally isn’t going to validate me. I validate myself by being a good husband, a great father and hopefully a mentor to these guys.

“I don’t need a trophy to tell me I’ve done something good or bad in the long run.”

The JackJumpers head to Melbourne on Saturday and will spend a day in enemy territory to try and rebound from the heartbreak of knowing they were just seconds away from lifting the title, until Melbourne United rallied to snatch the win.

“Our guys will be up,” Roth said.

“Nobody expected us to be here to begin with. Three years ago nobody thought we’d be sitting here and two years ago nobody thought we’d be sitting here and now we are here again and we are in game five and we earned the right to get to game five because we won on their floor, so we are full steam ahead.”

JackJumpers guard Sean Macdonald weaves past Ian Clark of United during game four of the NBL Championship Grand Final Series at MyState Bank Arena. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Following Sunday’s deciding game, the JackJumpers have scheduled a public fan day on Monday 3pm at My State Bank Arena, where players will be presented to the crowd. It is a free, ticketed event.