James Batemon III
August 23, 2024
Jarred Bairstow
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 11/05/92
- Place of Birth: Brisbane (QLD)
- Position: FRD
- Height (CM): 201
- Weight (KG): 104
- Junior Assoc: QLD - South West Metro
- College: Central Oklahoma (2013-2016)
- NBL DEBUT: 6/10/16
- AGE AT DEBUT: 24
- LAST NBL GAME: 7/11/24
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 32
- NBL History: Brisbane 2017, 2025 | Perth 2021 | Tasmania 2022-24
- Championships: 1
- Tasmania (2024)
BIO: Jarred Bairstow was born and raised in Brisbane (QLD) and began playing basketball as a junior with the South West Metro basketball program.
FAMILY: Jarred’s brother, Cam Bairstow also played 74 games in the NBL. Also, his sister Steph attended Utah State before forging a playing career in the NBL.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Jarred Bairstow made his NBL debut with the Brisbane Bullets at 24 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.
In his debut NBL season, Jarred Bairstow appeared in five games as a development player with the Brisbane Bullets, sharing the court with his brother, Cameron. Bairstow averaged 0.2 points per game while contributing to a Brisbane team that ultimately finished in eighth place with a 10-18 record.
PERTH WILDCATS
2020/21
Coming off a controversial Grand Final victory in which Sydney forfeited due to COVID-19 health concerns, Perth Wildcats encountered challenges in NBL21 as the league navigated frequent pandemic disruptions. Losing key players Terrico White and Nick Kay to overseas contracts, the Wildcats signed John Mooney to fill the significant gap in the frontcourt. However, with the NBL reducing the import roster limit from three to two, they were unable to retain Miles Plumlee.
The season commenced with uncertainty, as teams received their schedules week by week, adapting to changing COVID-related travel restrictions. Perth recruited Bairstow to cover an injury to Majok Majok; he appeared in 38 games, including 17 starts, averaging 1.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. Struggling to gain momentum, Perth found themselves in seventh place after five rounds, prompting the league to relocate all teams to Melbourne for the NBL Cup, a concentrated tournament aimed at maintaining the season amidst travel constraints.
In Melbourne, Bryce Cotton (23.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.5 steals) ramped up his performance, which created opportunities for Todd Blanchfield, newly acquired from Illawarra. Blanchfield capitalized on the space Cotton created, delivering a career-best season with 15.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, setting a Wildcats record for most three-pointers in a season. Together with Mooney (16.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 steals), they led Perth back to the top of the standings.
In the season’s final stretch, however, Cotton sustained a season-ending injury in a loss to Melbourne (64–78), sidelining him from Perth’s playoff run despite being named league MVP. Melbourne United secured first place with a 28-8 record, while Perth finished second at 25-11.
Facing Illawarra in the semifinals, Perth dropped the first game (72–74), but rebounded in game two, thanks to strong showings from Luke Travers (13 points, 10 rebounds) and Mooney (18 points, 10 rebounds). Blanchfield’s 24-point effort in game three propelled them past Illawarra (79-71) and into the Grand Final against Melbourne United.
With travel restrictions in place, games one and two were held in Perth. Despite Blanchfield’s 27-point performance, United narrowly won the opener (70–73) and followed up with another victory in game two (74–83), driven by Chris Goulding and Jock Landale. An injury-weakened backcourt saw Kevin White step up with career-best contributions, but Perth fell short, losing game three in front of a sold-out crowd at John Cain Arena (76-81). Landale’s standout performance earned him Finals MVP as Melbourne clinched their sixth championship under the United brand.
Bairstow concluded the season with 1.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in his 38 appearances.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
2021/22
Following his departure from Perth, Bairstow joined the Tasmania JackJumpers for their inaugural season, accepting a multi-year deal. Expectations were low, with bookmakers giving them 400:1 odds to win the championship.
The JackJumpers kicked off their NBL debut with an 83–74 overtime win against Brisbane, though they struggled thereafter, holding a 2-6 record by round 8. The season became more challenging after marquee signing Will Magnay suffered a season-ending injury, prompting head coach Scott Roth to adopt a more balanced approach. The adjustment paid off, as Tasmania won 10 of their final 12 games, finishing fifth with a 17–11 record.
In a twist of fate, Tasmania claimed fourth place when South East Melbourne defeated Perth in the final regular-season game, securing the JackJumpers a playoff spot based on points percentage.
In the semifinals, they faced top-seeded Melbourne United. After losing game one (74–63), they evened the series with a home win, and with United’s Chris Goulding sidelined in game three, Tasmania prevailed (76-73), advancing to the Grand Final in their debut season.
The Sydney Kings awaited them, having swept Illawarra. Sydney took game one decisively (95–78), and game two marked the first NBL Grand Final held in Hobart. Josh Adams’ 36-point performance nearly carried the JackJumpers to an upset, but the Kings, led by Xavier Cooks and Jarell Martin, edged them out (90-86). A decisive game three saw Sydney capture their first title in 17 years, ending Tasmania’s Cinderella run.
Bairstow ended the season with 1.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.5 assists.
2022/23
For their second season, the JackJumpers retained most of their core but lost key scorers Josh Adams and MiKyle McIntosh. Coach Roth quickly recruited Milton Doyle and Rashard Kelly to fill their roles.
Tasmania endured a rough start, with captain Clint Stiendl sidelined from an injury at the FIBA Asia Cup and Magnay recovering from a foot injury. After an 0-3 start, they secured a victory over Brisbane, sparked by Doyle’s 32-point outing, and followed up with a four-game win streak that solidified their place in the top six.
Doyle (17.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals) led Tasmania’s scoring, while Jack McVeigh (14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds) emerged as the team’s standout local player. Finishing fourth (16-12), they advanced to the new play-in tournament, defeating Cairns (79–87) before facing second-seeded New Zealand.
Tasmania struggled offensively in game one, scoring only 68 points, but Doyle’s 23 points in game two helped force a deciding match. However, New Zealand proved too strong in game three, defeating the JackJumpers 92-77.
Bairstow played 22 games, averaging 1.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 0.6 assists.
2023/24
Bairstow received the JackJumpers Coaches Award at the end of the season for his contributions and steady performance.
2024/25
Brisbane’s offseason began with the departure of franchise cornerstone Nathan Sobey to South East Melbourne, part of a major roster reshuffle that also saw Aron Baynes (retired), Chris Smith (to Japan), Shannon Scott (to Taiwan), and DJ Mitchell (to England) move on. The Bullets re-signed Isaac White, Tyrell Harrison, Mitch Norton, and Casey Prather, while adding new imports James Batemon and Keandre Cook. The frontcourt was bolstered with the arrival of Deng Adel and Tohi Smith-Milner, with development players Kye Savage, Tristan Devers, and Josh Kunen also joining the squad.
Jarred Bairstow returned to Brisbane for the 2024/25 season, providing veteran depth during a campaign heavily impacted by injuries. Across eight appearances, Bairstow averaged 2.3 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.1 assists per game, stepping into the rotation whenever the team’s frontcourt needed reinforcements.
Bairstow’s best performances came when the injury list was at its worst. He delivered a season-high 5 points and 3 rebounds against Illawarra on December 27, followed by 4 points and 3 rebounds in a solid effort against South East Melbourne on January 11. He also added 4 points and 2 rebounds in limited minutes during Brisbane’s January 26 clash with Melbourne. Though his role was small statistically, Bairstow’s physicality and defensive hustle were valuable during a stretch when Brisbane struggled to keep a full lineup on the floor.
Despite heavy setbacks across the roster, Brisbane remained competitive through the middle of the season but ultimately finished 12–17, eighth on the ladder. Bairstow’s willingness to step in and provide steady minutes helped Brisbane manage a turbulent year and field a functioning rotation amid significant adversity.
Jarred Bairstow played six seasons in the NBL. He averaged 1.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 117 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 32 | Brisbane | 12-17 (8) | 8 | 54.4 | 18 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 60% | 1 | 1 | 100% | 5 | 6 | 83% | 70% | 65% | 7 |
| 2023-24 | 31 | Tasmania | 16-12 (3) | 16 | 72.2 | 21 | 16 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 9 | 16 | 56% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 3 | 4 | 75% | 59% | 56% | 9 |
| 2022-23 | 30 | Tasmania | 16-12 (4) | 22 | 181.5 | 37 | 34 | 14 | 8 | 26 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 36 | 13 | 25 | 52% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 11 | 19 | 58% | 54% | 52% | 5 |
| 2021-22 | 30 | Tasmania | 17-11 (4) | 28 | 240.3 | 52 | 53 | 15 | 27 | 26 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 42 | 20 | 37 | 54% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 12 | 20 | 60% | 56% | 54% | 6 |
| 2020-21 | 29 | Perth | 25-11 (2) | 38 | 468.2 | 74 | 103 | 33 | 49 | 54 | 6 | 3 | 19 | 62 | 28 | 60 | 47% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 18 | 22 | 82% | 53% | 47% | 7 |
| 2016-17 | 24 | Brisbane | 10-18 (8) | 5 | 9.5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 2 | 50% | 53% | 0% | 1 | Totals | 117 | 1026 | 203 | 219 | 71 | 98 | 121 | 22 | 6 | 42 | 158 | 76 | 148 | 51.4% | 1 | 2 | 50.0% | 50 | 73 | 68.5% | 56% | 52% | 9 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 32 | Brisbane | 12-17 (8) | 8 | 6.8 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 60% | 0.1 | 0.1 | 100% | 0.6 | 0.8 | 83% | 70% | 65% | 7 |
| 2023-24 | 31 | Tasmania | 16-12 (3) | 16 | 4.5 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 56% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 0.2 | 0.3 | 75% | 59% | 56% | 9 |
| 2022-23 | 30 | Tasmania | 16-12 (4) | 22 | 8.2 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 52% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.5 | 0.9 | 58% | 54% | 52% | 5 |
| 2021-22 | 30 | Tasmania | 17-11 (4) | 28 | 8.6 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 54% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.4 | 0.7 | 60% | 56% | 54% | 6 |
| 2020-21 | 29 | Perth | 25-11 (2) | 38 | 12.3 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 47% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.5 | 0.6 | 82% | 53% | 47% | 7 |
| 2016-17 | 24 | Brisbane | 10-18 (8) | 5 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.2 | 0.4 | 50% | 53% | 0% | 1 | Total | 117 | 8.8 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 51.4% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 50.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 68.5% | 56% | 52% | 9 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 9 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Brisbane Capitals (2010–2012, 2020), South West Metro Pirates (2015–2019, 2025), Sunshine Coast Phoenix (2021), Hobart Chargers (2022–2023), Southern Districts Spartans (2024)
Bairstow joined the Brisbane Capitals for the 2010 QBL season and spent three seasons with the club from 2010 to 2012. He later returned to the Capitals in 2020, when Brisbane won the QSL title, and he was named the team’s MVP in 2012.
Bairstow joined the South West Metro Pirates for the 2015 QBL season and remained with the club through 2019. His South West Metro tenure covered the 2015 and 2016 seasons before his return for three more years from 2017 to 2019, and he later rejoined the Pirates again in 2025 for the NBL1 North season.
Bairstow joined the Brisbane Capitals again for the 2020 QSL season and helped the club win the championship. In the Grand Final he produced 21 points and 13 rebounds, and during the season he earned All-QSL recognition after averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
Bairstow joined the Sunshine Coast Phoenix for the second half of the 2021 NBL1 North season and averaged 16.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. One of his early standout games with the Phoenix came in his second appearance, when he finished with 22 points and eight rebounds.
Bairstow joined the Hobart Chargers for the 2022 NBL1 South season and was part of the team that won the NBL1 South championship. In the Grand Final win over Mount Gambier he recorded 11 points, 12 rebounds and four assists, and during one mid-season weekend stretch he combined for 19 points and 22 rebounds across two games.
Bairstow returned to the Hobart Chargers for the 2023 NBL1 South season. In that stint he averaged 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists per game before moving on the following year.
Bairstow joined the Southern Districts Spartans for the 2024 NBL1 North season after initially signing with the North Gold Coast Seahawks, and he served as Spartans captain. Southern Districts reached the semi-finals that year, and in an April game against Sunshine Coast he finished with 13 points and 17 rebounds.
Bairstow joined South West Metro again for the 2025 NBL1 North season. In the Pirates’ first win of the year he had 12 points and nine rebounds against Rockhampton, and in a July win over Sunshine Coast he added 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
COLLEGE
Jarred Bairstow played three seasons of NCAA Division II basketball at the University of Central Oklahoma from 2013–14 to 2015–16, suiting up as a 6’7 forward and building into a regular starter by his senior year.
In his first season at Central Oklahoma in 2013–14, Bairstow appeared in 11 games with nine starts and averaged 6.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, including a 17-point outing in a road win over Pittsburg State and a 16-point, 10-rebound performance at Nebraska–Kearney.
He also pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds during the 2013–14 MIAA Tournament in a win over Fort Hays State, finishing the season having started the final nine games as his role expanded late in the year.
As a junior in 2014–15, Bairstow played in all 30 games with seven starts and averaged 4.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 46.6 percent from the field and 79.2 percent at the free-throw line.
That 2014–15 season included three double-figure scoring games, highlighted by a 15-point performance against Southwestern Christian on 7-of-8 shooting, and he was named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
Bairstow’s best year came as a senior in 2015–16, when he played 30 games with 24 starts and averaged 8.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, recording a college career-high 24 points on March 1, 2016 against Central Missouri.
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