Orlan Jackman is delighted to have guided Iserlohn Kangaroos to the Pro-B South league title in Germany, but already has his sights set on achieving back-to-back promotions.
Iserlohn sealed the league victory on the last day of the regular season with a 105-82 win on the road at Saarlouis, to finish with an 18-4 record, with Jackman adding 13 points in the final-day win. The two finalists in the playoffs will earn promotion to Pro-A.
“It feels amazing to win the league, but it is only half of the job that we aim at completing,” Jackman told Hoopsfix. “The next step is winning the playoffs and getting promoted. There’s still more work to do, but with more work to do that means there are more chances to improve.
“Winning the playoffs would make this my best year as a pro,” he added. “Winning is everything in this business, we’ve put ourselves in a great position to win. Now, we’ve got to perform.”
Jackman averaged 15.9 points per game along with 8.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists with a season-high of 33 points in January. The 26-year-old hit double figures in all but two of his 22 outings and recorded four double-doubles throughout the campaign.
“I am okay with my performance overall thus far,” he said. “I believe I’ve still got more to offer and during the playoffs, it’ll be my time to shine.
Last season, the British forward was named as Player of the Year after guiding the Kangaroos to promotion from the Regionalliga division having stayed with the club to aid his development. And Jackman admits that winning more silverware with the same team adds to the great feeling.
“Winning is always special, but winning with a group of guys I call my friends makes it that little bit more special,” he said. “We are a young group of guys that plays with a lot emotion. Winning the majority of games this season has given us a kind of confidence that makes everyone a threat from anywhere on the floor.”
Iserlohn take on Druff (SG Braunschweig) in the first round of the playoffs and Jackman could face fellow Brit Robert Gilchrist in the next round if Karlsruhe get past their opener. Jules Dang Akodo is also set to compete with Fraport Skyliners II in the opposite half of the draw against the North league winners.
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