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Big man Gorjok Gak has joined reigning NBL champions Tasmania after the franchise parted ways with American import Marcus Lee. Gak joins the JackJumpers from the South East Melbourne Phoenix on a one-year deal, with a team option for a second year. 
The 211cm centre had an injury-interrupted 2023/24 season and averaged 15 minutes across just 17 games. "I'm excited to join the JackJumpers and get down to Tasmania," Gak said on Thursday. "I've heard great things about the culture ... obviously that has created an environment where players can thrive, and that's fostered success super quickly."
Gak's signing comes a day after the JackJumpers announced Lee, who started in 32 of 34 games in 2023/24, would not be with the club next season. Tasmania claimed their maiden NBL title last season in just their third year with a thrilling 3-2 series win over Melbourne United. The club has locked up most of their roster for 2024/25, with captain Clint Steindl, Anthony Drmic, Jack McVeigh, Fabijan Krslovic, Majok Deng, Milton Doyle, Sean Macdonald, Walter Brown and Will Magnay all committed. Gak, who will arrive in Tasmania in early August for pre-season training, grew up in Sydney before moving to the US college system, where he attended Florida State University. He is currently playing in WA's NBL1 West competition - he was the league's best defensive player and named in the all-star five last season.
"Gorjok is a really athletic big man who brings a lot of size and length to our group," Tasmania coach Scott Roth said. "He really embraces that next-man-up mentality, which he showed during his season with Phoenix last year. "(He is) a great rebounder, shot blocker and will provide that extra rim protection for us."
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