GARRETT Jackson's desire to play at the highest level he can appears to be on the right path with the North-West Thunder import signed by NBL club Melbourne United.
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The 23-year-old comes in as a replacement for regular import Hakim Warrick, who injured his groin at practice during the week and was placed on the short-term injury waiver list to allow him to recover.
Jackson had been training with Melbourne since the Thunder's SEABL season finished.
Thunder coach Phil Thomas said Jackson's signing comes as no surprise as he strives to test himself in better leagues.
"He's competitive and that's his desire - he's made that very clear and open," Thomas said.
"With his work ethic and desire to play at that level and his skill, he's a really good fit for an NBL program like Melbourne United.
"He's been training with them now for quite a long period of time and I know the coach has a very high opinion of him, and that's evident in the fact that they signed him - even if it is for a short period of time.
"He was only at the Thunder for a few days and it was like he had been here for a month.
"He trains at such a high level and demands people around him train at a high level."
The Thunder currently have an offer on the table for Jackson to return next year after he starred for the team upon his mid-season arrival as a replacement for Monzaigo Williams.
But the exposure to the NBL is sure to attract even more interest from mainland SEABL clubs looking for an import in 2016, along with other programs around the world.
"No doubt it bumps up the interest levels, so we just might have to work a bit harder now [to keep him]," Thomas said.
Jackson suited up for Melbourne's game against Perth last night, getting on the court in the opening term and scoring his first points in the third quarter.
