After stints in the NBA system and Europe, Taran Armstrong is set to return home, with the talented Tasmanian guard agreeing to a one-year deal with the Tasmania JackJumpers for the 2026-27 NBL season.
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Reported by ESPN, The 6’5” Burnie product is poised to make his NBL return 15 months after playing his last game in the league, ironically against the JackJumpers.
Armstrong, 24, departed the Cairns Taipans after two seasons with the club, appearing in 42 games and averaging 12.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across his time in Far North Queensland.
His breakout campaign came during the 2024-25 season, where he elevated his game to another level, averaging 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists while shooting 46.1 per cent from the field across 19 appearances.
One of the standout moments of Armstrong’s career came in Round 20 of NBL25 against the Brisbane Bullets, when he powered the Taipans to a 100-88 victory with a rare triple-double of 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Those performances quickly caught the attention of NBA scouts, leading to Armstrong signing a two-way deal with the Golden State Warriors, becoming the first Tasmanian player to sign an NBA contract.
While he never made his NBA debut, Armstrong showed promising signs with the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League.
In 11 appearances, he averaged 11.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, shooting an impressive 51 per cent from the field and 36.4 per cent from three-point range.
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Taran Armstrong will join Tasmania. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
Taran Armstrong will join Tasmania. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
Following the 2024-25 NBA season, Armstrong entered free agency before taking up an opportunity with Dubai Basketball across the ABA League and EuroLeague.
Although minutes were limited, the experience exposed the young guard to one of the highest levels of European basketball while surrounding him with seasoned veterans of the game. Across both competitions, Armstrong appeared in 18 games, including seven EuroLeague appearances, averaging 1.9 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in limited court time.
For a 24-year-old coming off a strong stint in the G League, the adjustment was always going to be challenging. Still, the experience gained behind the scenes and within a professional European environment could prove invaluable for the next stage of his career.
Taran Armstrong in action. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Taran Armstrong in action. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
While the deal is yet to be officially announced, both parties have agreed to terms, with Tasmania continuing to build a roster capable of returning to championship contention after winning the NBL title in 2023-24.
Armstrong joins a strong local core headlined by Will Magnay, who recently re-signed on a two-year deal, alongside marquee forward Josh Bannan, who is coming off a breakout campaign of his own.
Head coach Scott Roth will also have valuable depth through Ben Ayre, Nick Marshall, Kobe Williamson, and Sean Macdonald, whose return from injury could provide another major boost heading into the new season.
After finishing 14-19 last season and battling injuries throughout the campaign, the JackJumpers are hoping their latest signings can help reignite the club and push Tasmania back into the NBL Finals conversation.