The Tasmania JackJumpers and Australian wing Roman Siulepa have agreed on a mutual release from his Next Stars contract, sources told ESPN.
Siulepa - a 6'7 wing out of Queensland - joined the JackJumpers in June on a two-year deal, with the expectation that he would arrive in Tasmania ahead of their preseason. Siulepa had a desire to complete his high school year and fulfil other commitments, sources said, leading both parties to ultimately question their compatibility with one another ahead of the new season.
Siulepa has interest from multiple other NBL teams, sources said, and is expected to sign with one ahead of the 2024-25 season while continuing in the Next Stars program. Teams are only permitted to have one Next Star. Melbourne United, the Adelaide 36ers, Illawarra Hawks, and Cairns Taipans are the teams currently without a Next Star.
The plan is for Siulepa to meet with those teams on the Gold Coast during the NBL Blitz - the league's annual preseason event - sources said, before ultimately coming to a decision. He's currently dealing with separate back and shoulder injuries, sources said, so he's unlikely to be active to start the new NBL season.
The 18-year-old is regarded as one of Australia's best 2006-born prospects, winning MVP of the NBA's Basketball Without Borders Asia camp and MVP of the Australian U20 National Championship. He was named to all-tournament teams at the 2024 Albert Schweitzer tournament and 2023 FIBA U17 Oceania Championship, helping lead Australia to gold medals in both events.
The JackJumpers are coming off winning the 2024 NBL Championship, and are preparing to enter their fourth season as a franchise. They'll enter the new NBL season without a Next Star.
With Siulepa expected to join another NBL team, the league will have six confirmed Next Stars going into the 2024-25 season: Siulepa, Rocco Zikarsky (Brisbane Bullets), Alex Toohey (Sydney Kings), Izan Almansa (Perth Wildcats), Malique Lewis (South East Melbourne Phoenix).
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