BIO: Fabijan Krslovic was born in Liverpool, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, and grew up in the nearby area of Abbotsbury, which has a strong Croatian-Australian community. His family heritage traces back to Croatia, and his parents, Robert and Lidia Krslovic, fled the country amidst the turmoil of World War II. Raised in a sports-loving household, Krslovic received a Shaquille O’Neal jersey as a child and became a lifelong Los Angeles Lakers fan. He idolised fellow Australian and Croatian big man Andrew Bogut, who served as an early role model in his basketball journey.

Krslovic attended St Aloysius’ College in Milsons Point, where he was a standout athlete, being named the school’s basketball MVP in both his junior and senior years.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Fabijan Krslovic made his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans at 23 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Fabijan Krslovic joined the Cairns Taipans as a development player in 2018, a season that marked significant change for the franchise. Long-time head coach Aaron Fearne parted ways with the team after eight years, and Mike Kelly stepped in to lead a roster undergoing substantial rebuilding. Key players Cameron Gliddon (to Brisbane), Mitchell McCarron (to Melbourne), Jarrad Weeks (to New Zealand), and Stephen Weigh (retired) all departed, leaving Kelly with the task of forming a competitive team with limited time before the season began.

To address these losses, Kelly added Rob Loe (via New Zealand) and a trio of imports: Melo Trimble, Devon Hall, and DJ Newbill. Retaining veterans Nathan Jawai, Alex Loughton, and Jarrod Kenny for their leadership, the Taipans opened the season with a commanding victory over Brisbane (88-70). However, inconsistency plagued the team as they endured a six-game losing streak between 21 October and 9 November 2018. Despite these struggles, Cairns managed several standout wins, including a shocking upset over Perth (81-79) and a dominant 109-80 blowout of Brisbane.

The Taipans struggled to find their footing both at home (3-11) and on the road (3-11), finishing the season with a league-worst record of 6-22. While wins were scarce, the one-two punch of Melo Trimble (21.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals) and DJ Newbill (14.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals) stood out. Trimble earned a spot on the All-NBL Second Team and was named the Taipans’ club MVP.

Fabijan Krslovic contributed off the bench, averaging 1.9 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. Despite limited minutes, he displayed tenacity on the defensive end, using his physicality and hustle to make an impact when called upon. His standout performance came against Adelaide (2 February 2019), where he recorded 11 points and 7 rebounds, demonstrating his potential when given extended playing time.

Veterans Nathan Jawai (10.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) and Devon Hall (8.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists) also provided steady contributions, with Jawai’s minutes and production nearly doubling from the previous season. However, the lack of pre-season preparation and substantial roster turnover hampered the Taipans’ ability to build momentum, resulting in one of the worst records in franchise history.

2019/20
Fabijan Krslovic was upgraded to a fully contracted player for Cairns in 2019, after impressing as a development player the year prior. In his second professional campaign, Krslovic embraced a key reserve role under head coach Mike Kelly, carving out a niche as a defensive anchor and high-effort contributor off the bench.

Cairns began the season with low expectations following a last-place finish in 2018/19, but major offseason additions including Scott Machado, Cameron Oliver, and Majok Deng (via Adelaide) transformed the club’s trajectory. Retaining veterans DJ Newbill and Nathan Jawai, the team launched into a turnaround campaign that ultimately saw them finish third in the regular season with a 16–12 record, their best finish since 2015.

The season opened with three consecutive losses, but Cairns quickly found form in Round 3 with a breakout 99–76 road win over Perth, sparked by Majok Deng’s career-best 22 points. From that point, the Taipans began to climb the ladder, fueled by Machado’s league-leading playmaking and Oliver’s explosive inside presence. By the season’s midpoint, Cairns had won seven of their next 11 games to reach .500 and moved into the top four.

Cairns hit a rough patch early in the second half of the season, dropping games to Perth and South East Melbourne, but rebounded with a five-game win streak that solidified their playoff spot. They closed the regular season with nine wins from their final 10 games, entering the postseason with strong momentum.

Machado (16.6 points, 7.7 assists, and 3.9 rebounds) earned All-NBL First Team honours, the club MVP, and Fan’s MVP while finishing runner-up in the league MVP count. Oliver (17 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks) also earned a spot on the All-NBL Second Team. DJ Newbill contributed (18.8 points) and was named the NBL Defensive Player of the Year along with an All-NBL Second Team nod. Majok Deng added (12.4 points and 4.2 rebounds), providing much-needed frontcourt scoring off the bench.

Across 28 appearances, Krslovic averaged (2.7 points and 2.6 rebounds), giving the Taipans frontcourt rotation energy and physicality in short bursts.

The Taipans drew the defending champion Perth Wildcats in the semi-finals. In Game 1 at RAC Arena, Cairns battled into overtime but were edged out 108–107, despite Machado pouring in 31 points. Game 2 saw Cairns respond at home with an 85–74 win, behind Oliver’s 22 points and 19 rebounds. The decider returned to Perth, where the Taipans fell 93–82 despite a valiant effort, ending their storybook season one step short of the Grand Final.

2020/21
Following a breakthrough year, Cairns entered the 2020/21 season with optimism, but the campaign quickly turned into a struggle. The NBL reduced the import limit from three to two due to COVID-19 restrictions, and Cairns lost star guard DJ Newbill to Japan in the offseason. Scott Machado re-signed on a two-year deal and was named team captain, while Nate Jawai also recommitted to the club on a two-year contract. Another key signing was Jordan Ngatai, who arrived from New Zealand after six seasons with the Breakers in search of more playing time.

The Taipans opened the season with high hopes but were soon hampered by a string of injuries and inconsistent performances. Under head coach Mike Kelly, Cairns never fielded their full-strength roster in any game throughout the season. Majok Deng (12 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) began the season as a starter but was ruled out for six weeks after suffering a partial MCL tear on February 24. Deng missed 16 games between February and May, and though he returned for the final 10 games, the Taipans managed just one win during that stretch.

Kouat Noi (10.1 points and 4.4 rebounds) also delivered a career-best season before missing ten games due to injury.

Cameron Oliver (17.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks) was the team’s most dominant presence before parting ways with the club after 24 games. Oliver was released to returned home to the United States for personal reasons and was later released from the final year of his contract. Oliver went on to sign with the Houston Rockets.

Scott Machado (15.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the team in assists and served as the offensive engine once again. His leadership earned him the Taipans MVP award for the second consecutive year. Nate Jawai (8.3 points and 3.8 rebounds) showed flashes of his early career form, recording four 20-point games for the first time since his rookie season in 2008.

Mirko Djeric (8.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists) delivered a career-best campaign, hitting a personal-best 66 three-pointers. Fabijan Krslovic (5.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) also stepped up with his best NBL season to date. With several rotation players sidelined, Krslovic started 20 games and appeared in 32 overall, posting career-high numbers. He recorded his first NBL double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds in a home win over Sydney.

Despite individual improvements, Cairns failed to find consistency and closed the season with an 8–28 record, finishing in ninth place and missing the playoffs.

At the conclusion of the season, Krslovic’s contract with Cairns ended. Shortly after, he began discussions with the league’s newest franchise, the Tasmania JackJumpers. The JackJumpers, aiming to assemble a young and dynamic core, offered Krslovic a multi-year deal, making his decision to relocate to Tasmania for his fourth NBL season an easy one.

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
2021/22
The Tasmania JackJumpers entered their inaugural NBL season with low expectations, reflected in their 400:1 championship odds from various betting agencies. However, they made an immediate impression, defeating the Brisbane Bullets 83–74 in overtime at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart during their debut game on 3 December 2021. Following this win, the team struggled to find consistency, managing just one more victory by Round 8 and sitting at ninth place with a 2-6 record.

The team faced further challenges when marquee signing Will Magnay suffered a season-ending injury, forcing head coach Scott Roth to pivot their strategy away from perimeter shooting to a more balanced approach. This adjustment proved successful, as the JackJumpers won 10 of their last 12 games, finishing the regular season with a 17–11 record and claiming fifth place on the ladder.

Krslovic and the JackJumpers were not finished yet. In a dramatic turn of events, the South East Melbourne Phoenix defeated the Perth Wildcats in the final game of the season, allowing Tasmania to overtake Perth for fourth place via points percentage. Krslovic contributed consistently throughout the season, averaging 4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. The JackJumpers’ reward was a semifinals matchup against reigning champions Melbourne United.

Tasmania dropped Game 1 to Melbourne (74-63) on United’s home court but leveled the series with a hard-fought win at home, forcing a decisive Game 3. A significant break came when United’s captain, Chris Goulding, was ruled out due to injury. The JackJumpers capitalized on this opportunity, defeating Melbourne in a thrilling 76-73 encounter to secure a place in the Grand Final series.

In the Grand Final, Tasmania faced the Sydney Kings, who had swept the Illawarra Hawks in their semifinals matchup. The Kings dominated Game 1, defeating the JackJumpers 95-78. Game 2 marked a historic moment, as Tasmania hosted its first-ever NBL Grand Final game. American guard Josh Adams delivered a standout 36-point performance, nearly pulling off a massive upset. However, the Kings edged out a 90-86 victory, clinched by a long-range dagger from Dejan Vasiljevic in the closing moments.

Dejan Vasiljevic with the 𝘿𝘼𝙂𝙂𝙀𝙍 🗡️
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– 📺 Watch the #NBLFinals Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/XDIgoHVKo9— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) May 8, 2022

The series concluded with the Kings claiming the championship in Game 3, defeating Tasmania in front of a roaring 16,000-strong crowd at Qudos Bank Arena. Sydney’s Xavier Cooks and Jarell Martin combined for 45 points and 29 rebounds, leading the Kings to their first title in 17 years and capping off a dominant run with 19 wins in their final 21 games.

2022/23
In their sophomore NBL campaign, the Tasmania JackJumpers entered the 2022/23 season with much of their core group retained on multi-year contracts. The offseason saw the departure of imports Josh Adams and MiKyle McIntosh, leading head coach Scott Roth to recruit Milton Doyle and Rashard Kelly as their replacements.

The team was hampered early by injuries to key personnel. Will Magnay (5.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks) and captain Clint Steindl (4.6 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.6 assists) both missed time, with Steindl recovering from a knee injury sustained during the FIBA Asia Cup. Tasmania stumbled out of the gate with defeats to South East Melbourne (79–84), Cairns (84–106), and New Zealand (65–71), sitting winless alongside Brisbane after three rounds. The breakthrough came in Round 4, as Tasmania claimed their first victory in an overtime thriller over Brisbane (90–86), with Milton Doyle pouring in 32 points and 4 assists.

That win sparked a four-game streak that reignited the JackJumpers’ playoff hopes. Milton Doyle (17.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals) established himself as the squad’s top scorer and lead facilitator, while Jack McVeigh (14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists) built on his momentum from the previous season to deliver a career-best campaign.

Tasmania wrapped up the regular season with a 16–12 record, finishing fourth and earning a berth in the inaugural NBL play-in tournament. However, their postseason prospects were dented when starting point guard Josh Magette (10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.0 steals) sustained a fractured eye socket in the final game of the regular season against Illawarra, ruling him out for the playoffs. In his absence, Rashard Kelly (12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists), Isaac White (5.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 assists), and development guard Sean MacDonald (6.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists) were tasked with stepping up.

In the play-in, the JackJumpers eliminated Cairns (87–79) to advance to the semifinals against the second-seeded New Zealand Breakers (18–10). Game 1 saw Tasmania struggle to find their offensive rhythm, posting just 68 points—their third-lowest output of the season. Rashard Kelly (12 points) and Milton Doyle (10 points) were the only players to reach double figures. Doyle rebounded in Game 2 with a 23-point, 5-assist effort to lead the JackJumpers to a home victory (89–78), evening the series. However, New Zealand proved too strong in the series decider, defeating Tasmania 92–77 to bring the JackJumpers’ season to a close.

Milton Doyle earned widespread recognition for his standout season, becoming the first JackJumpers player selected to the All-NBL First Team and collecting the club’s MVP honour. Jack McVeigh was voted Fan Favourite, Will Magnay received Defensive Player recognition, Isaac White claimed the Players’ Award, and Sean MacDonald was presented with the Coaches’ Award.

Fabijan Krslovic (5.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) provided a consistent role across all 32 games. His standout showing came in a narrow win over Illawarra (92–89), where he recorded 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block—highlighting his all-round impact and reliability within the JackJumpers’ rotation.

2023/24
After establishing himself as a key part of the JackJumpers’ program during the 2022/23 season, Fabijan Krslovic entered the 2023/24 campaign committed to building on the team’s success. Having played all 32 games in the prior season, the 27-year-old forward solidified his role as a dependable presence in Tasmania’s rotation. Ahead of the season, Krslovic signed a two-year contract extension, ensuring his place in the JackJumpers’ lineup through the 2024/25 season.

Reflecting on his decision to stay, Krslovic said, “I’m really excited to stay in Tassie and continue to build on the success of the first two years of the JackJumpers. Tasmania is home now, and I want to continue to represent the amazing people here, both on the floor and out and about in the community. It’s great to be able to have two years locked away and really strive to bring a Championship to Tassie.”

Entering their third NBL season, the JackJumpers experienced significant offseason changes. Jarrad Weeks and Josh Magette both retired, while Sam McDaniel and Isaac White joined Brisbane and Matt Kenyon signed with South East Melbourne. Despite these exits, Tasmania retained their core group, with Jack McVeigh, Clint Steindl, Sean MacDonald, Milton Doyle, and Krslovic all re-signing on multi-year deals.

To strengthen their lineup, the club added Anthony Drmic (via Adelaide), Junior Madut (via South East Melbourne), Majok Deng (via Cairns), Marcus Lee (via Melbourne), and import Jordon Crawford (via Puerto Rico).

Under head coach Scott Roth and captain Clint Steindl, the JackJumpers posted a 16–12 regular season record to finish third on the ladder. Jack McVeigh (17.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists), Milton Doyle (15.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals), and Jordon Crawford (16.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals) spearheaded the offense.

The team also benefited from a breakout season by Sean MacDonald (7.1 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists), who was named the NBL Most Improved Player. Will Magnay (10.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks) anchored the interior defense and earned both the club’s Defensive Player and Players’ Awards.

Fabijan Krslovic (4.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists) maintained his role as a reliable contributor off the bench, appearing in all 28 games.

Tasmania opened the postseason with a seeding qualifier win over Illawarra (92–76), led by Jack McVeigh’s 26 points and 11 rebounds. In the semifinals against Perth, they dropped Game 1 (89–81) but responded at home in Game 2 (102–94) and clinched the series with a dominant 100–84 road victory, where McVeigh tallied 27 points.

Melbourne United defeated Illawarra in a high-scoring semifinal series to set up a Grand Final matchup with Tasmania. United struck first with a dominant Game 1 performance (104–81), led by Chris Goulding (22 points on 7-of-12 shooting) and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (20 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks). Tasmania responded in Game 2 with an 82–77 win, powered by Jack McVeigh (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Milton Doyle (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists), despite Shea Ili scoring 20 points for Melbourne.

Game 3 saw a thrilling finish as McVeigh (18 points and 12 rebounds) hit a miracle game-winning three-pointer, stealing a 93–91 road win despite a stellar effort from Matthew Dellavedova (21 points and 8 assists).

United forced a decider by taking Game 4 in Hobart (88–86), with Ian Clark contributing 18 points and 4 rebounds.

In the decisive Game 5 at John Cain Arena, Jordon Crawford erupted for 32 points—including 27 in the first half—marking the equal-third highest total by a player in a Grand Final game during the 40-minute era. He was supported by McVeigh (14 points and 8 rebounds), Doyle (11 points and 10 rebounds), and Magnay (11 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks), lifting the JackJumpers to an 83–81 victory and their first-ever NBL championship.

Jack McVeigh was named Grand Final MVP and also received the club’s MVP award, highlighting a stellar season. Milton Doyle earned All-NBL Second Team recognition and was voted Fan Favourite. Additional club honours went to Jarred Bairstow (Coaches’ Award) and Fabijan Krslovic, who continued to provide versatility and stability off the bench.

The 2023/24 Tasmania JackJumpers season stands as a historic achievement—marked by resilience, depth, and unity. Winning the championship in just their third season, the JackJumpers were hailed as the most successful expansion franchise in Australian sports history.

2024/25
The reigning champions suffered a major blow when their offseason began with the departure of Grand Final MVP Jack McVeigh, who signed a two-way deal with the Houston Rockets. Tasmania also farewelled key frontcourt contributors Marcus Lee, Majok Majok, Tom Vodanovich, and Jarred Bairstow. In response, the club re-signed several core pieces including Will Magnay, Majok Deng, Anthony Drmic, and Jordon Crawford. They also added Gorjok Gak (via South East Melbourne), Craig Sword (via G-League), and Ian Hummer (via Japan), while Reuben Te Rangi (via South East Melbourne) joined in July as a late signing to replace McVeigh.

Tasmania opened the season on September 29 with an 81–72 win over Melbourne, celebrating their championship banner in front of a packed home crowd. Jordon Crawford (19 points) and Will Magnay (11 rebounds, 5 assists) led the way. However, inconsistency plagued the early part of the season. By early November, the JackJumpers had slumped to a 3–8 record, with narrow losses to Cairns, Sydney, and Adelaide proving costly. Milton Doyle (20 points) sparked an overtime win against Perth, but the absence of Jack McVeigh’s offensive output was felt as the team struggled for rhythm. Through 11 games, Tasmania sat near the bottom of the ladder.

November and December brought a dramatic turnaround. The JackJumpers strung together eight consecutive wins, highlighted by dominant victories over New Zealand (100–76) and a 97–91 road win over Melbourne. By Christmas, Tasmania had surged back into the top four with a 10–8 record. Will Magnay (13.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.6 blocks) was a dominant interior force and ranked second in the league for blocks, but a knee injury after just 13 games ended his season prematurely. Sean MacDonald (11.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists) also battled injuries and was limited to just nine games after a breakout campaign the year prior.

The JackJumpers’ fortunes reversed again in January. Injuries and cold shooting sparked a six-game losing streak, including tough losses to Perth, Sydney, and a heartbreaking 94–92 defeat to Melbourne where Tasmania squandered a 16-point lead. A final-round 90–83 win over Cairns in the annual “Teal Game,” led by Majok Deng’s 21 points, brought their final record to 13–16. Despite the win, Tasmania missed the play-in tournament on percentage, finishing 7th behind Adelaide.

Jordon Crawford (16.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists) was a steady offensive leader and earned the club’s MVP award. Milton Doyle (14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists) and Majok Deng (11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds) elevated their play, particularly during Magnay’s absence and the team’s mid-season surge. Fabijan Krslovic (4.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) provided dependable minutes off the bench across all 28 games, including a season-best 14 points and 6 rebounds against New Zealand on January 16.

Fabijan Krslovic currently plays for the Melbourne United and has played 223 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 3.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists since entering the league in 2018.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Melbourne United – 2 Year Deal (2025-27)