The Tasmania JackJumpers have signed two replacement players to bolster their injury-hit roster while Ben Ayre and Anthony Drmic recover.
Kody Stattmann and Biwali Bayles will step in for the pair.
Bayles, a 23-year-old guard from Sydney, comes in as a nominated replacement player while Ayre works his way back from a hip flexor problem over the next few weeks.
Stattmann, a 26-year-old from Cairns, joins as an injury replacement player while Drmic recovers from a back injury.
JackJumpers general manager of basketball operations Darren Smith said both players would be great assets.
“Kody Stattmann is a born and bred Queenslander, with basketball in his blood,” Smith said.
“He’s coming in off the back of a great NBL26 with the Cairns Taipans and an MVP NBL1 season with the Cairns Marlins.”
“He brings good size and versatility for his position, while his decision making and scoring ability are key aspects to his game.”
Bayles arrives with experience at the Illawarra Hawks and Sydney Kings, along with a stint in Europe.
“We’ll have another expert ball handler with Bayles on board.” Smith said.
“He is an energy guy and you can’t help but notice his aggression for the ball on the court.”
“He’ll be a great back up for Taran as well, so that’s some added depth for us too.”
Forward Majok Deng will also be sidelined for at least four weeks after breaking his left leg in the club’s opening game of the season.
Scans showed the 33-year-old has a hairline fracture in his fibula.
The JackJumpers take on Melbourne United at MyState Bank Arena at 7.30pm on Thursday in their round-three match.
The Tasmanian team currently sit in sixth position on the ladder with one win and one loss.
