Agent 97 Jarrad Weeks calls time on decorated career
After 11 incredible seasons playing at Australia’s highest level, one of the NBL’s great journeymen has called time on his decorated career.
Jarrad Weeks will retire from professional basketball after 254 games in the National Basketball League, across five clubs.
“It is with great pride I am hanging up my boots from my second home, the NBL. I have cherished my 250+ games I have played for what seems like half the league. I have had many highlights to show but looking back it is the friendships I will take with me in to my next chapter in life” he said.
“I would like to thank all the coaches, players and mentors that have impacted my journey. The relationships I have created with people involved in every aspect of the 5 clubs I’ve played for will be something I take with me for the rest of my life. I’m glad to have left my stamp on the NBL floorboards these past 12 years”.
33 year-old Weeks began his professional career in 2010 as a Development Player with the Sydney Kings and played across five NBL Teams including Illawarra, where he found some success in the number 97 ‘Blood Jersey’ and adopted the nickname ‘Agent 97’ which has stuck with him ever since.
“To the fans that jumped on the Agent 97 bandwagon, I cannot thank you enough. You have made playing the game I love so enjoyable”.
Returning to Tasmania to be part of the JackJumpers Inaugural season in 2021, Weeks was an obvious leader amongst the new group, being elected Vice-Captain with Clint Steindl as Captain.
Weeks quickly became a much-loved member of the team by his teammates, coaches and the fans.
“Jarrad is one of those great journeymen of the NBL, and we’re so grateful to have had him as such a key part of our group for our first two seasons and his last two seasons” Co-CEO Jorrick Chivers said.
“We congratulate Jarrad on a hugely decorated career that he should be very proud of. We certainly are.”
“Weeksy will always be part of the JackJumpers family and we wish Jarrad, Michelle and Freddie the very best for what I know will be a wonderful future” Chivers said.
Weeks is one of the just three players to take the floor in every playoff game in the Club’s short history and missed just one game in each of his two seasons with the JackJumpers through injury.
“I am so grateful to have been the 4th ever signing for the Tasmania JackJumpers and helping build the JackJumpers franchise to what it is today. I am excited to see how it continues to grow.
“Finishing my playing career with this club has been my dream since I entered it. I cannot wait to see this club win its first championship.
Weeks will remain connected to the JackJumpers with the young family planning to move back to Tasmania following the conclusion of the NZ NBL season.
“I will certainly miss the smiling faces after games and the conversations, high fives and requests for shoes and towels I had with you all” he said.
“I will be waving my towels for teammates in a different way in the not-too-distant future”.