"The place I need to be": Why star returned to Tasmania

With the Hungry Jack's NBL27 pre-season officially tipping off recently, each of the teams' stars are starting to return ahead of the new campaign.

One player who has just landed back in Tasmania is sharpshooting wing David Johnson, who is preparing for his second season with the JackJumpers.

The American, who averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2 assists per game during his debut NBL season, believes the Apple Isle side is the perfect spot for this stage of his career.

"I spoke with a couple of other teams in different leagues, and obviously back in the United States, there are opportunities there, but I feel like for my growth as a player, this is the place that I need to be," Johnson said at the club's media availability on Friday.

In year two, Johnson is confident JackJumpers and NBL fans will see an even better version of him, after dropping close to 10 kilograms in the off-season.

"I was encouraged [to become leaner] by him (Roth). It was something that we spoke about during the year, and I took this off-season head on, regardless of whether I came back here," Johnson said.

"They (Tasmania) were talking to me about what can help me in my career going forward, and getting my body in the best shape possible was one of those things.

"Them telling me that made me fall in love with the conversation we had and made the return here [easy].

"I'm going to do what I do regardless, but I feel like I can do it at a higher level than I did prior."

The other element that enticed the 25-year-old back to the Ants was their brand new facility.

"It was kind of the selling point for me to make the return," he said.

"You don't really see many facilities like this, even in America. Coming from the NBA and G League, it's one of the best facilities I've experienced in my life."

Joining Johnson on the JackJumpers team this season are Taran Armstrong, Dakota Mathias, Ben Ayre, Nick Stoddart, Ben Ayre, Josh Bannan, Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic, Bryce Hamilton, Ryley Haywood, Will Magnay and Nick Marshall.

Read more >> Simmons comeback gathers momentum