Ladder leaders boast two top-10 players: Rucker

Tasmania has set the early benchmark in NBL27, sitting top of the standings with five wins from its opening seven games.

Scott Roth’s side is firing on all fronts, and two locals are driving it. Taran Armstrong and Will Magnay have both caught Derek Rucker’s eye, and he says one of them is already playing like an All-NBL First Team player.

“I always thought that Taran Armstrong had the edge on Magnay, and that’s no slight on Will Magnay,” he said on Moments That Mattered, presented by Mitsubishi Motors.

“They are both performing at a top 10 player level throughout the league.

“I would probably have Armstrong slightly ahead. They both have advantages, but Taran Armstrong drives that team.

“He makes everything happen. He plays the more difficult position when you look at his other opponents across the league.”

Armstrong’s start to his first season back home has been sensational, averaging 21 points and 5 assists per game. The 24-year-old has relished the opportunity to have the keys to the offence and is coming off a career-best performance against the Breakers.

He led the way with 32 points and 3 steals in Sunday’s 98-92 win at MyState Bank Arena, as Tasmania held off a combined 53 points from Sam Mennenga and Carlin Davison.

“You have someone like Taran who’s really, really talented and wants to grind and do the work too,” Roth said after the win.

“So, he’s elevating his game and, you know, the sky’s the limit for him.”

Teammate Dakota Mathias, who added 17 points in the win, was just as impressed.

“No, he’s (Armstrong) incredible, and I think he’s very mature for his age, too,” Mathias said.

“You can tell out there it’s, a guy like that, you think he’s been playing for, you know, 10 or 15 years to this level, but he’s so poised and confident. It’s a joy to play with.”

Magnay is also having a career year, averaging 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks per game.

“Is he the best big man in the competition? Probably, right now, because his team wins,” Rucker added.