Why Jamerson made Mackay home

Feature image via: Kieron Place Art & Photography

While he was born in Indiana, Jerron Jamerson and his new family will make Mackay home. 

Jamerson played for multiple clubs in Queensland before finding his home in Mackay. In his first season with the club, he was instrumental to their championship success – being named Finals MVP during the inaugural 2021 NBL1 North season. 

He met then-Mackay Meteorettes player Chelsea Brooke during their time at the club, eventually falling in love. They followed each other to Darwin for the next two seasons, finally returning to Mackay for the 2024 season where Jamerson again won the championship. 

With a child on the way and Jamerson taking on a player development and marketing role with the club, Mackay will become their home for the foreseeable future. Speaking with NBL1 Media in February, Jamerson explained what makes Mackay special. 

“For me specifically, it's real easy. They (the club) set up everything outside of basketball for us to want to stay. Chelsea and I talk about this all the time, we would be going against the grain leaving Mackay at this point. 

“We’ve both got full-time work, me with the basketball, and she works at one of the sponsors' as well. They just set up everything, Mackay has the culture, and the community that is second to none.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jerron Jamerson (@rondoinwork)

This coming season for the Meteors will be completely different, with former General Manager and two-time championship men’s coach Joel Khalu departing the club to coach under NBL Coach of the Year Justin Tatum at the Illawarra Hawks. 

With a new men’s coach in former NBL1 East championship coach Matthew Paps, a new general manager and a completely different roster from their championship seasons, Jamerson will be the glue to successfully transition into the new generation. 

“I chatted to him quite a bit so far… we are definitely ready for Paps to do great things in Mackay,” he said. 

“We definitely got plans to look at a few players, I won't let a little too much out right now, but we definitely got plans to get players.

“It's really just about hitting the ground running and getting people to buy in,  getting people to buy in and in Mackay culture. We're gonna have people that want to play in Mackay regardless, so that's the biggest thing.” 

Jamerson joins Brad Rasmussen on the roster for 2025. The NBL1 North season starts on May 1st.