A former second-round NBA draft pick has inked an import deal with the Tasmania JackJumpers, saying the team's "defend the island" culture was a big carrot.
American guard David Johnson on Tuesday signed a one-year contract with the island state for the 2025/26 NBL season.
The 24-year-old was picked at No.47 in the 2021 NBA draft by the Toronto Raptors and played two NBA games for the team.
He was most recently with the Memphis Hustle in the NBA's G League, and averaged 16.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists across 28 appearances during 2024/2025.
Johnson said he got in touch with Tasmania coach Scott Roth, who coined the rallying cry "defend the island".
"I've heard only great things about the fans and the state so I'm really excited to play for something bigger than myself and represent Tasmania," Johnson said.
"(It) really feels like the fans are a huge part of the team. I can't wait to get down there and defend the island."
Kentucky-born Johnson's signing comes a day after the JackJumpers announced NBL championship-winning import Jordon Crawford would not be offered a new contract.
"(Johnson has) got strong instincts, high basketball IQ, great ability to run the floor and be an on-court leader," Tasmania's chief operating officer Darren Smith said.
Tasmania have shaken up their roster after finishing seventh in 2024/25, the franchise's worst result in their short four-season history.
Inaugural skipper Clint Steindl has retired, while Fabijan Krslovic, Gorjok Gak, Reuben Te Rangi and Crawford have found new NBL clubs.
The JackJumpers, who won the championship in their third season, have added Ben Ayre, Josh Bannan, Nick Marshall and young Aussie talent Kobe Williamson from Seattle.
