BIO: Jasper Rentoy, who is of Filipino descent, was born in West Sydney (NSW) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Penrith basketball program.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Jasper Rentoy made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 23 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

At just 23 years old, Jasper Rentoy fulfilled a lifelong dream by signing a development player contract with the Sydney Kings for the 2023/24 season. Joining fellow rookies Jackson Makoi, Klairus Amir, and Isaac Gattorna, Rentoy expressed immense pride in donning the purple and gold.

“Signing as a development player with the Sydney Kings is a absolute dream come true,” Rentoy said upon joining the Kings.

“Growing up, I went to all the Kings games and camps, so now being a part of them now, it’s definitely come full circle. I’ve always had goals to make it to the NBL, but never would I have thought that I’d get the honour to wear the purple and gold and represent my home.”

Rentoy entered a Kings squad undergoing significant transformation following a championship-winning campaign. The team lost several cornerstone players, including reigning NBL MVP Xavier Cooks and sharpshooter DJ Vasiljevic, both of whom departed for NBA opportunities with the Washington Wizards. The loss extended to head coach Chase Buford, who pursued a coaching role in Milwaukee, and imports Derrick Walton Jr., Justin Simon, and Tim Soares, who all moved overseas. Of the starting five from the championship squad, only Jordan Hunter remained, leaving Sydney in the midst of a substantial rebuild.

To replenish their roster, the Kings welcomed back former NBL MVP Jaylen Adams after a stint in Europe. They also signed new imports DJ Hogg (via Cairns), Denzel Valentine, and Jonah Bolden, a former NBA player and Australian Boomer who returned to professional basketball after a four-year hiatus. At the helm, G-League championship coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah was appointed as Buford’s replacement, aiming to maintain the Kings’ dominance despite the extensive roster changes.

Through the first ten games, Sydney managed an impressive 7-3 record, holding second place in the standings. Their only losses came against the Tasmania JackJumpers (twice) and the Cairns Taipans. This strong start was achieved despite injuries to marquee player DJ Hogg and rising star Jaylin Galloway, both of whom missed significant time in the first half of the season.

However, from Round 8 onwards, the Kings struggled to replicate their earlier success. The team faltered on the defensive end, conceding 100 points or more in nine games, and their performance declined markedly compared to the dominance displayed in their back-to-back championship seasons. Sydney ended the regular season in fifth place, missing the playoffs after a disappointing loss to the New Zealand Breakers in the play-in qualifiers.

The Kings’ offensive production was spearheaded by Jaylen Adams, who averaged 19.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.1 steals. Adams excelled in the pick-and-roll, forming a productive duo with Jordan Hunter, who contributed 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks. Jonah Bolden showed flashes of brilliance, averaging 8.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists, though much of his season was spent regaining basketball form after his lengthy absence. Despite their potential, imports Denzel Valentine (12.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.1 steals) and DJ Hogg (14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 blocks) fell short of expectations, particularly on the defensive end.

Amid the team’s struggles, there were several standout individual performances. Rookie Alex Toohey averaged 8.0 points and 4.0 rebounds, while Kouat Noi enjoyed a breakout season with 10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assists, narrowly missing out on the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award. Jaylin Galloway emerged as another bright spot, averaging 10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals while solidifying his role within the team.

For Rentoy, the season marked his first exposure to professional basketball at the NBL level. He appeared in 16 games, scoring a total of two points. While his opportunities on the court were limited, Rentoy gained invaluable experience training alongside seasoned professionals and contributing to the Kings’ depth during a transitional year. His development as a young player in such a competitive environment highlighted his potential for future growth in the league.

Despite missing the postseason, the Kings showcased glimpses of their young talent, setting the foundation for future success. For Rentoy, this season was a stepping stone in his professional career, with his determination and work ethic evident as he embraced his role within the team.

Jasper Rentoy played one season in the NBL. He averaged 0.5 points, 0 rebounds, and 0 assists in 4 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (823 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.