BIO: Jack McVeigh was born in Murwillumbah (NSW) and grew up in nearby Cabarita Beach before moving to the Gold Coast, where he attended The Southport School.

McVeigh began playing basketball at five years of age with the North Gold Coast Seahawks and progressed through the club’s junior representative program.

Although his birthplace was in New South Wales, McVeigh’s formative junior basketball years were spent on Queensland’s Gold Coast, explaining his later representation of Queensland at Australian junior national championships. The Australian Olympic Committee lists Murwillumbah as his birthplace and North Gold Coast Seahawks as his junior club.

In 2012, McVeigh was named North Gold Coast Seahawks Junior Player of the Year alongside Krystle McKenzie.

McVeigh represented Queensland at the 2013 Australian Under-18 National Championships, where Jack McVeigh (24.3 points and 10.8 rebounds per game) helped Queensland progress to the semi-finals.

McVeigh (41 points) produced one of his leading performances during the tournament’s semi-final.

At the 2014 Australian Under-20 National Championships, Jack McVeigh (27.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game) helped Queensland finish runners-up while shooting 55% from the field.

McVeigh received the Bob Staunton Medal as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, an award previously won by Patty Mills and Dante Exum.

In 2014, McVeigh moved to Canberra after receiving a scholarship to attend Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

He completed his secondary education at Lake Ginninderra College, graduating in 2014.

McVeigh attracted interest from several NCAA Division I programs, including Louisiana State University (LSU), Virginia and Boise State, before accepting a scholarship to attend the University of Nebraska in 2015.

McVeigh received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2013. He spent three years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2013, 2014, 2015).

FAMILY: Son of Peter and Jenny McVeigh, who represented Australia from juniors through to U20s as a teenager herself.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Jack McVeigh made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 22 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.

After taking Melbourne to a deciding fifth game of the previous season’s Grand Final series, Adelaide entered the off-season needing to rebuild when second-leading scorer Mitch Creek (to Long Island Nets) pursued an NBA opportunity. Creek had been given approval to play in Germany with the understanding he would return to Adelaide, but his performances overseas attracted interest from the Brooklyn Nets organisation. Adelaide filed an injunction to prevent Basketball Australia approving the move without compensation before the two parties eventually reached a resolution allowing Creek to leave. Shannon Shorter (to Japan), Josh Childress (retired) and Matthew Hodgson (to Brisbane) also departed.

Coach Joey Wright added Jacob Wiley (via Germany) to help replace Creek, Adris De León (via Metros de Santiago) to provide additional scoring and playmaking and Harry Froling (via Marquette) and Jack McVeigh (via Nebraska) after both returned from the US college system. Daniel Johnson took over as captain, while Nathan Sobey, Majok Deng, Adam Doyle, Brendan Teys and Ramone Moore returned.

McVeigh signed a three-year deal with Adelaide in April after leaving Nebraska and returning to Australia, before spending the winter playing for the Gold Coast Rollers in the QBL.

Adelaide opened the season at home against Perth on October 11, where McVeigh (2 points) played seven minutes off the bench in his NBL debut as the Wildcats won 99-91. Johnson (23 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block) and Sobey (20 points and 6 assists) led Adelaide, while Bryce Cotton (22 points and 5 assists) led Perth.

McVeigh (3.4 points across 20 games) came off the bench in all 20 appearances during his rookie season. No injury was reported for McVeigh during the year, with his eight games outside Adelaide’s lineup coming while he was outside the playing rotation rather than through an injury absence.

Adelaide’s early inconsistency was compounded by a calf injury to Moore (9.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 19 games), with the 36ers falling to 3-6 during a four-game losing streak. De León (7.7 points across 9 games) was released following the fourth consecutive loss and Conger (11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds across 19 games) (via Le Mans) was signed as his replacement. Moore later re-injured the same calf in January, with Bruce (2.4 points across 7 games) (via Wellington) added as an injury replacement.

McVeigh’s best game of the season came against Perth on January 17, where increased minutes off the bench resulted in 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block as Adelaide defeated the Wildcats 97-84. Conger (18 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Johnson (17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) led the 36ers, while Terrico White (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Perth. The victory improved Adelaide to 11-10 and kept the 36ers firmly in the playoff race.

McVeigh’s highest-scoring game came eight days later at RAC Arena, where he played a season-high 22:34 and finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists off the bench as Perth defeated Adelaide 100-81. Deng (19 points and 4 rebounds) and Wiley (18 points and 6 rebounds) led the 36ers, while Cotton (19 points and 5 assists) and Clint Steindl (19 points and 4 rebounds) led Perth.

McVeigh (11 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists) followed with another strong performance against Melbourne on January 28, but the defending champions defeated Adelaide 114-91. Sobey (24 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Johnson (15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led the 36ers, while Josh Boone (19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) led Melbourne.

McVeigh (10 points and 2 rebounds) provided another spark from the bench in Cairns on February 2 as Adelaide defeated the Taipans 100-91 and moved back into the top four. Johnson (24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal) and Sobey (14 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals) led the 36ers, while Melo Trimble (21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) was Cairns’ best.

Johnson (17 points and 6.8 rebounds across 28 games) and Sobey (16.1 points, 5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across 28 games) led Adelaide offensively and were both selected to the All-NBL Second Team. Wiley (12.3 points and 4.9 rebounds across 28 games), Anthony Drmic (9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds across 28 games), Froling (7.9 points and 4.6 rebounds across 28 games) and Deng (7.6 points across 28 games), along with Conger and Moore, were the team’s other major contributors. Froling was named NBL Rookie of the Year, Johnson received Adelaide’s MVP award, Sobey was named Most Defensive Player for the second consecutive season and received the Members Choice Award, Wiley received the Coaches Choice Award and McVeigh was named Most Improved Player following his impressive second half of the season.

Adelaide entered its final home game against Melbourne still fighting for a playoff position, where McVeigh (0 points) played just over two minutes as the 36ers lost 89-87. Drmic (20 points and 8 rebounds) and Johnson (15 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Adelaide, while Casper Ware (20 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals) led Melbourne.

Adelaide travelled to Perth for its final game on February 15 knowing a win would guarantee a playoff berth, where McVeigh (3 points) played 3:19 off the bench as the 36ers led by as many as 16 points during the first half before Perth recovered to win 93-85. Johnson (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Drmic (18 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals) led Adelaide, while Cotton (29 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led Perth. Brisbane claimed fourth place on points percentage, leaving Adelaide fifth with a 14-14 record.

2019/20
Adelaide entered the season looking to rebound from a 14-14 campaign which saw them miss the playoffs on points percentage, with Joey Wright reshaping his roster after Nathan Sobey (to Brisbane), Jacob Wiley (to Panathinaikos), Majok Deng (to Cairns), Demitrius Conger (to Real Betis) and Shaun Bruce (to Sydney) moved on. Daniel Johnson, Anthony Drmic, Ramone Moore, Harry Froling and Brendan Teys returned, while Eric Griffin (via Ironi Nahariya), Kevin White (via Illawarra), Daniel Dillon (via Paris Basketball), Obi Kyei (via LEB Gold) and Alex Mudronja (via Saint Mary’s) were added. Deshon Taylor (via Fresno State) was initially signed before being released when former NBL MVP Jerome Randle (via Sydney) became available prior to the regular season.

Adelaide opened its season against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on October 12, where McVeigh (1 rebound) played 14 minutes from the bench without scoring, while Johnson (26 points and 7 rebounds) and Randle (16 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the 36ers. Newley (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Sydney to a 102-80 win.

McVeigh (6 points across 28 games) entered the second year of the three-year deal he signed with Adelaide after leaving Nebraska in 2018 and became a regular member of Wright’s second unit. McVeigh came off the bench in all 28 games, improving on the 3.4 points he averaged as a rookie and did not miss a game through injury.

McVeigh produced his first major performance of the season in Adelaide’s inaugural game at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on October 19, making 7-of-9 shots and finishing with a career-high 16 points and 1 steal in 24 minutes. Griffin (22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Johnson (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support as Adelaide defeated Brisbane 104-98 in front of 7,515 fans, while Patterson (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) led the Bullets. The victory began a three-game winning streak which moved Adelaide to 3-1 before four consecutive losses against South East Melbourne, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

McVeigh’s best game of the season came against New Zealand at Spark Arena on January 31, where he made 8-of-11 shots, including four three-pointers, and finished with a season-high 20 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals in 23 minutes. Johnson (24 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Randle (10 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists) provided support, but Abercrombie (31 points) made seven three-pointers as New Zealand defeated Adelaide 113-89, dealing a major blow to the 36ers’ playoff hopes.

Randle (19.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists) led Adelaide in scoring and assists, while Johnson (18.1 points and 8.3 rebounds), Griffin (14 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks), Drmic (10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds), Moore (7.8 points), Froling (7.3 points and 3.5 rebounds) and Teys (5.2 points) were the other major contributors. Moore missed the final seven games with a shoulder injury as Adelaide lost five of its final six games and fell out of playoff contention.

Already out of playoff contention, Adelaide finished its season against Perth at RAC Arena on February 15 in Wright’s 500th game as an NBL head coach. McVeigh (16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) played 27 minutes and produced another of his best performances of the season, while Johnson (18 points and 11 rebounds) and Froling (11 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists) provided support. Kay (23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) led Perth to a 94-79 win as Adelaide finished seventh with a 12-16 record.

2020/21
After a turbulent end to the previous season, long-time head coach Joey Wright was released despite time remaining on his contract, with his departure coming amid player disputes and other issues. Former Perth assistant Conner Henry was appointed as his replacement, while co-captain Kevin White (to Perth), Harry Froling (to Brisbane) and Obi Kyei (released) departed. Jack McVeigh, Brendan Teys, Daniel Dillon and Alex Mudronja remained with the club.

Adelaide added highly-rated Next Star Josh Giddey (via NBA Global Academy), who had recently become the youngest Australian to debut for the Boomers since Ben Simmons, while Daniel Johnson signed a new three-year deal. Isaac Humphries (via Lakeland) signed for two years, Keanu Pinder (via Warsaw) joined on a one-year deal and Sunday Dech (via Illawarra) signed for three years, with imports Donald Sloan (via Baskets Bonn) and Tony Crocker (via Pinar Karsiyaka) completing the roster.

‘Keanu Pinder was a highly sought-after player in free agency, and we are thrilled he chose to join the 36ers. Together with Daniel Johnson and Isaac Humphries he will bring great athleticism and competitiveness to our team, and strengthen our offensive capability, which we promised our fans would be a priority for the upcoming season,’ said Grant Kelley upon signing Pinder.

Adelaide opened the season against Melbourne at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on January 15, where McVeigh (9 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists) came off the bench as United won 89-65. Johnson (27 points and 5 rebounds) and Giddey (7 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) were Adelaide’s other leading performers, while Jo Lual-Acuil (16 points and 12 rebounds) led Melbourne.

McVeigh (9.4 points and 3.3 rebounds across 36 games) enjoyed a breakout season, recording a career-best scoring average while shooting a career-high 42.5 percent from three-point range. He appeared in all 36 games and did not miss a game through injury, coming off the bench in 35 of his 36 appearances.

Adelaide started the season 4-2 before COVID-19 disruptions resulted in the NBL Cup being held in Melbourne, where the 36ers struggled and fell from third to seventh on the ladder. Sloan (9 points across 6 games) was moved to the bench and subsequently granted a mutual release, with Dech (8.7 points and 4.1 rebounds across 36 games) elevated into the starting lineup and Jeremy Kendle (5.7 points across 10 games) signed as an interim replacement. Kendle was later released and former NBA guard Brandon Paul (via Zhejiang) (13.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 20 games) joined for the remainder of the season.

McVeigh (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 assist) provided Adelaide’s strongest offensive performance against New Zealand at John Cain Arena on February 27, making all four of his three-point attempts and scoring 16 points in the second quarter, but the Breakers defeated the 36ers 106-62. Johnson (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support, while Humphries (1 rebound) injured his left foot in the opening minutes and Tai Webster (29 points and 12 assists) led New Zealand.

With Humphries (13.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks across 19 games) initially ruled out for four to six weeks, Jack Purchase (injury replacement) (1.7 points across 9 games) was signed to provide frontcourt depth. Humphries missed 11 games before returning in April, with recurring soreness in the same left foot later ending his season, while his absence also pushed McVeigh into extra minutes as a makeshift four man.

McVeigh (18 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) produced his best game of the season against Brisbane at John Cain Arena on March 11, but the Bullets defeated Adelaide 109-104. Johnson (29 points and 9 rebounds) and Giddey (19 points, 7 rebounds, and 11 assists) led Adelaide alongside McVeigh, while Nathan Sobey (30 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Brisbane.

McVeigh (22 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) produced his season-high scoring game against Cairns at the Cairns Pop-Up Arena on April 14, making two three-pointers and completing a four-point play to cut the margin to one with 13 seconds remaining before missing a potential game-tying three as the Taipans won 91-88. Johnson (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Paul (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists) provided support, while Cam Oliver (25 points and 17 rebounds) led Cairns.

Johnson (19.4 points and 7.1 rebounds across 36 games) led Adelaide in scoring for the sixth time and shared the club MVP award with Giddey (10.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists across 28 games), who led the NBL in assists and won Rookie of the Year. Crocker (10.8 points across 32 games) was another regular contributor, while Paul, Humphries, Dech and McVeigh provided further scoring and depth throughout the season.

Adelaide closed the season against Melbourne at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on June 6, where McVeigh (6 points and 5 rebounds) came off the bench, with Crocker (27 points and 5 rebounds) and Johnson (18 points and 13 rebounds) leading the 36ers, while Jock Landale (19 points and 9 rebounds) led Melbourne as United won 102-80, leaving Adelaide seventh with a 13-23 record.

In his three seasons with Adelaide from 2018/19 through 2020/21, McVeigh made 84 NBL appearances according to Aussie Hoopla’s season-by-season game count and started just one game, in 2020/21. He subsequently earned a larger role in Tasmania’s inaugural season, when he started every game in which he appeared.

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
2021/22
The Tasmania JackJumpers entered the NBL as the league’s newest expansion side under former Perth Wildcats assistant Scott Roth, who assembled the inaugural roster around imports Josh Adams, Josh Magette and MiKyle McIntosh alongside Will Magnay (via Perth), Clint Steindl (via Perth), Sam McDaniel (via Melbourne), Fabijan Krslovic (via Cairns) and Jack McVeigh (via Adelaide). Expectations were low, with multiple betting agencies offering 400:1 odds on Tasmania winning the championship.

After three seasons with Adelaide, McVeigh signed a two-year deal with Tasmania on July 6, coming off a career-best season where he averaged 9.4 points for the 36ers. Roth had followed McVeigh closely before signing him and planned to move him from the small forward position he had played throughout his career into a larger role at power forward.

Tasmania opened its first NBL season against Brisbane at MyState Bank Arena on December 3, where McVeigh (9 points) started as the JackJumpers defeated the Bullets 83-74 in overtime in front of 4,738 fans, the largest crowd for an NBL game in Tasmania at the time. Adams (20 points) and Magette (19 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Tasmania, while Sobey (24 points and 6 rebounds) was Brisbane’s best.

McVeigh (12.2 points and 4.8 rebounds across 33 games) started every game he played and increased his scoring for a fourth consecutive season as Roth’s decision to shift him from small forward to power forward proved successful. He shot 83.3 per cent from the free-throw line across the season, after shooting 91.5 per cent during his final year with Adelaide. Following their opening victory, Tasmania struggled to build momentum and sat ninth with a 2-6 record by round eight before Magnay (7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks across 11 games) suffered a season-ending knee injury. Roth moved the JackJumpers away from their reliance on perimeter shooting towards a more balanced approach and Tasmania responded by winning 10 of its final 12 regular-season games.

McVeigh scored 21 points against Brisbane at Nissan Arena on February 26, shooting 7-of-14 from the field and 4-of-6 from three, with McIntosh (21 points) and Magette (15 points and 8 assists) also contributing for Tasmania. Franks (23 points and 11 rebounds) led Brisbane to a 94-86 victory.

Against Illawarra at MyState Bank Arena on March 13, McVeigh (19 points and 6 rebounds) helped Tasmania defeat the Hawks 81-77 for its third consecutive victory and eighth win from 11 games. Steindl (20 points) made six three-pointers and Magette (11 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) controlled the offence, while Harvey (16 points and 3 steals) led Illawarra.

McVeigh’s best scoring game came against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena on April 17, where he made four three-pointers and finished with a career-best 26 points and 9 rebounds as Tasmania came from 12 points behind in the second half to defeat the Phoenix 84-80. Adams (23 points) and Magette (12 points and 4 assists) helped the JackJumpers produce a 32-18 third quarter, which included a 20-5 run, while Creek (27 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) led South East Melbourne. The victory moved Tasmania to 16-11 and kept them fifth, directly behind fourth-placed Perth (16-10) in the playoff race.

Adams (17.5 points and 3.3 rebounds across 34 games) led Tasmania in scoring and was named to the All-NBL Second Team, while Magette (11.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.4 steals across 34 games), Steindl (9 points across 34 games), McIntosh (8.7 points and 3.8 rebounds across 34 games) and McDaniel (5 points and 3.9 rebounds across 34 games) were the other major contributors. Roth was named NBL Coach of the Year, while Adams was later named Tasmania’s inaugural club MVP ahead of McVeigh, who finished second in voting and was voted the JackJumpers’ Fan Favourite.

Tasmania closed its scheduled regular season against first-placed Melbourne at MyState Bank Arena on April 23, where McVeigh (7 points and 10 rebounds) started as the JackJumpers defeated United 83-61 behind McIntosh (20 points) and Adams (19 points), while Agada (22 points and 8 rebounds) was Melbourne’s best. Tasmania finished its schedule with a 17-11 record but remained dependent on Perth losing its final game to reach the playoffs.

South East Melbourne defeated Perth 102-100 in overtime the following day, ending the Wildcats’ 35-year playoff streak and moving Tasmania into fourth place on points percentage to secure a postseason berth in its inaugural season.

Game one of the semifinals moved to John Cain Arena, where McVeigh (15 points and 4 rebounds) and Adams (16 points and 5 rebounds) led Tasmania, while Agada (16 points and 7 rebounds) and Lual-Acuil Jr (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocks) helped defending champion Melbourne win 74-63 and take a 1-0 series lead.

Game two returned to MyState Bank Arena, where McVeigh (15 points), McIntosh (13 points) and Magette (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals) led a balanced Tasmania attack, while Goulding (18 points), Agada (14 points and 5 rebounds) and Lual-Acuil Jr (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks) were Melbourne’s best. Tasmania won 79-72 after outscoring United 20-13 in the fourth quarter, becoming the first expansion club to win a finals game during its inaugural season and forcing a deciding game three.

Game three returned to John Cain Arena, where Melbourne captain Chris Goulding injured his calf during warmups and was ruled out. McVeigh (16 points) and Adams (30 points) led Tasmania, with Magette (9 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) also contributing, while Ili (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists), Lual-Acuil Jr (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and White (14 points and 15 rebounds) kept Melbourne close. Adams hit a three-pointer with just over a minute remaining as Tasmania won 76-73, becoming the first expansion team since Geelong in 1982 to reach the Grand Final during its inaugural season.

Sydney swept Illawarra on the other side of the bracket to set up the Grand Final series, which opened at Qudos Bank Arena. McVeigh (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals), McIntosh (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Adams (13 points and 8 rebounds) led Tasmania, while Sydney’s Jaylen Adams (18 points), Clark (17 points and 2 steals) and Cooks (14 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Kings to a 95-78 victory in front of 12,765 fans. Jaylen Adams suffered a hamstring injury during the fourth quarter that ruled him out for the remainder of the series, while McVeigh suffered a shoulder injury midway through the final quarter and did not return.

Game two moved to MyState Bank Arena two days later, where McVeigh (10 points and 8 rebounds) returned from the shoulder injury and Adams (36 points) produced one of the biggest Grand Final scoring performances of the 40-minute era, with Weeks (11 points) and Magette (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) also contributing. Vasiljevic (20 points and 5 rebounds), Cooks (20 points and 11 rebounds) and Martin (20 points and 10 rebounds), who shot 8-of-10 from the field, led Sydney before Vasiljevic hit a deep three-pointer with eight seconds remaining to secure a 90-86 victory. It was Sydney’s 12th consecutive road victory, the most away wins by a team during a single NBL season.

Dejan Vasiljevic with the 𝘿𝘼𝙂𝙂𝙀𝙍 🗡️

📺 Watch the #NBLFinals Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/XDIgoHVKo9

— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) May 8, 2022

The flu swept through Tasmania ahead of game three at Qudos Bank Arena, with McVeigh and Krslovic confined to their hotel rooms and ruled out. It was McVeigh’s only missed NBL game of the season, having played all 28 regular-season games and Tasmania’s first five playoff games. Adams (27 points and 2 steals), McIntosh (14 points and 8 rebounds) and Magette (12 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 6 steals) led the depleted JackJumpers, while Cooks (23 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 blocks), Martin (22 points and 17 rebounds) and Clark (22 points) led Sydney to a 97-88 victory in front of a Grand Final record crowd of 16,149. The Kings completed the 3-0 sweep for their first championship in 17 years and their 19th win from their final 21 games, with Cooks named Grand Final MVP. Cooks and Martin combined for 45 points and 30 rebounds.

2022/23
After reaching the Championship Series in their inaugural season, Tasmania entered Scott Roth’s second year with most of the roster secured on multi-year deals. The major departures were leading scorer Josh Adams (to Ljubljana) and MiKyle McIntosh (to Saga), with Roth replacing them with Milton Doyle (via Gaziantep) and Rashard Kelly (via Dijon). Will Magnay was still recovering from a foot injury, while captain Clint Steindl was sidelined after suffering a knee injury playing for Australia at the FIBA Asia Cup, leading Tasmania to add Isaac White (via Illawarra) as an injury replacement.

Tasmania opened NBL23 against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena on October 1, where McVeigh (20 points and 5 rebounds) led the JackJumpers, with Kelly (18 points and 6 rebounds) and Doyle (13 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals) providing support, but Kyle Adnam (30 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) produced a career-high as the Phoenix won 84-79.

McVeigh (14.8 points and 4.6 rebounds across 32 games) entered the regular season in impressive form after recovering from a shoulder injury suffered while playing with the Boomers during the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. He returned at the NBL Blitz and won the Ray Borner Trophy as tournament MVP after averaging 19 points and 4 rebounds while shooting 59 per cent from the field and 73 per cent from three-point range.

Losses to Cairns and New Zealand followed the opener and left Tasmania tied for last with Brisbane at 0-3. McVeigh (17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) then helped the JackJumpers earn their first win against the Bullets on October 9, recovering from a 16-point deficit to win 90-86 in overtime behind Doyle (32 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Kelly (14 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks), while Tyler Johnson (24 points) led Brisbane. The victory started a four-game winning streak that pushed Tasmania back into the top six and playoff contention, where they remained for the rest of the season.

Later in October, McVeigh signed a two-year contract extension to remain with Tasmania through at least the 2024/25 season. “I’ve absolutely loved my time in Tasmania, it really does feel like home,” McVeigh said.

McVeigh produced another strong performance at RAC Arena on November 3, finishing with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists as Tasmania defeated Perth 85-77. Magette (18 points and 3 assists) and Doyle (15 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) helped the JackJumpers control the game, while Bryce Cotton (26 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) was Perth’s best.

McVeigh’s best scoring game came against his former team Adelaide at MyState Bank Arena on January 12, where he finished with 28 points and 6 rebounds, shooting 10-of-17 from the field and making six of seven three-pointers. Doyle (28 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) matched him with 28 points and Kelly (19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) provided further support, while Robert Franks (24 points) led Adelaide as Tasmania won 98-82 and improved to 13-10, strengthening its hold on fourth place.

Tasmania secured fourth place in its final regular-season game against Illawarra on February 4, where McVeigh (14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Doyle (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists) and Magnay (13 points) led an 87-63 win, while Tyler Harvey (13 points) was Illawarra’s leading scorer. The victory gave the JackJumpers a 16-12 record but came at a major cost when Magette (5 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) caught an accidental elbow to the face, breaking his cheekbone and fracturing his eye socket. Magette required surgery and was ruled out for the entire postseason.

Doyle (17.2 points, 5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals across 31 games) led Tasmania in scoring and became the first JackJumpers player selected to the All-NBL First Team, with McVeigh finishing as the team’s leading local scorer after increasing his scoring for a fifth consecutive season. Kelly (12.1 points and 6.2 rebounds across 31 games) and Magette (10.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2 steals across 28 games) were the other double-figure scorers, while MacDonald (6.3 points across 32 games), Magnay (5.9 points and 4.1 rebounds across 22 games), White (5.3 points across 28 games) and Krslovic (5.2 points and 3.2 rebounds across 32 games) provided further support. Tasmania allowed only 81.7 points per game, the second-lowest mark in the league, despite finishing with a 7-7 home record. Doyle was named club MVP, with McVeigh finishing runner-up in voting and being named Fan Favourite, while MacDonald received the Coaches’ Award, White won the Players’ Award and Magnay was named Defensive Player of the Year.

Without Magette, Tasmania travelled to Cairns for the Seeding Qualifier, where McVeigh (13 points and 9 rebounds), Doyle (25 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals), White (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Kelly (11 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists) helped the JackJumpers defeat the Taipans 87-79. Tahjere McCall (24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Shannon Scott (17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and DJ Hogg (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Cairns as Tasmania advanced to face second-seeded New Zealand (18-10).

Game one moved to Spark Arena, where Tasmania managed only 68 points, its third-lowest total of the season, as New Zealand won 88-68. McVeigh (9 points and 3 rebounds), Kelly (12 points and 4 rebounds) and Doyle (10 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the JackJumpers, while Dererk Pardon (15 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Will McDowell-White (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Barry Brown Jr (11 points) led the Breakers.

Game two returned to MyState Bank Arena, where McVeigh (16 points and 3 rebounds) hit the dagger three late in the fourth quarter as Tasmania forced a deciding game with an 89-78 victory. Doyle (23 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Kenyon (11 points and 6 rebounds) provided support, while Brown Jr (19 points and 3 steals), Jarrell Brantley (17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks) and Pardon (15 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 steals) led New Zealand.

Game three returned to Spark Arena, where McVeigh (22 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 block), Kelly (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) and MacDonald (14 points and 3 rebounds) led Tasmania, while Brown Jr (32 points and 3 steals), Pardon (15 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Brantley (14 points and 7 rebounds) carried New Zealand. The Breakers outscored Tasmania 25-13 in the fourth quarter to win 92-77 and end the JackJumpers’ season.

2023/24
After finishing fourth at 16-12 and falling to New Zealand in the deciding game of the NBL23 Playoffs, Tasmania entered Scott Roth’s third season with Jarrad Weeks (retired), Josh Magette, Rashard Kelly, Matt Kenyon (to South East Melbourne), Sam McDaniel (to Brisbane) and Isaac White (to Brisbane) leaving the playing roster. Weeks moved directly onto Roth’s staff as an assistant coach, while captain Clint Steindl, Milton Doyle, Will Magnay, Fabijan Krslovic, Sean Macdonald and Jarred Bairstow remained part of the core. Roth added Anthony Drmic (via Adelaide), Junior Madut (via South East Melbourne), Marcus Lee (via Melbourne), Majok Deng (via Cairns) and Jordon Crawford (via Istanbul).

Tasmania opened the season at RAC Arena on September 29, where McVeigh (22 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 block) celebrated his 150th NBL game by leading the JackJumpers, but Perth won 101-95. Doyle (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Crawford (13 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals) provided support, while Jordan Usher (35 points) produced the highest-scoring Wildcats debut in club history.

McVeigh (17.3 points and 5.9 rebounds across 37 games) entered NBL24 in the first year of the two-year extension he had signed during the previous season and returned from an off-season stint with Heidelberg in Germany. He was also named co-vice-captain alongside Krslovic (2.6 points across 36 games) before the season.

His first NBL match-winning basket came in Cairns on November 18, where McVeigh (24 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) drilled a long three-pointer on the overtime buzzer to give Tasmania a 90-87 win. Crawford (20 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Macdonald (10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided support, while Patrick Miller (26 points and 4 assists) led Cairns.

A Christmas Day ankle injury to Deng (7.5 points across 26 games) led Tasmania to sign Tom Vodanovich (1.2 points across 9 games) for the remainder of the season, with Lachlan Barker (1.3 points across 11 games) elevated as a nominated replacement player and Madut (1.6 points across 11 games) deactivated. Majok Majok’s short-term replacement contract ended, although he remained with the group as a training player.

McVeigh’s best regular-season scoring game came against Adelaide on February 4, when he made 10-of-13 from the field and 4-of-6 three-pointers to finish with 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block as Tasmania won 109-86 and consolidated third place. Doyle (17 points and 10 assists) and Crawford (15 points) provided support, while Trey Kell III (29 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the 36ers.

McVeigh (20 points and 10 rebounds) closed the regular season with a double-double against Perth on February 17 as Tasmania won 86-72, with Doyle (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Magnay (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks) controlling the game while Alexandre Sarr (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Perth. The JackJumpers finished third at 16-12 after winning five of their final six games.

Crawford (16.1 points and 3.2 assists across 37 games) and Doyle (15.7 points, 5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals across 36 games) supplied Tasmania’s other main scoring and playmaking options, while Magnay (10.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks across 27 games) controlled the interior. Macdonald (8 points across 37 games), Drmic (6.8 points and 4.7 rebounds across 37 games) and Lee (6.1 points and 5.4 rebounds across 34 games) were the other main contributors. McVeigh and Doyle were selected to the All-NBL Second Team, while Macdonald was named NBL Most Improved Player. McVeigh was selected as the JackJumpers Most Valuable Player at the end of the season, Doyle received the Fan Favourite Award, Magnay won the Defensive Player and Players’ Awards and Bairstow (1.3 points across 16 games) received the Coaches’ Award.

McVeigh’s best game of the season came in the Seeding Qualifier at MyState Bank Arena, where McVeigh (26 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals) made 9-of-13 from the field and 4-of-6 from three as Tasmania defeated Illawarra 92-76. Magnay (25 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks) and Crawford (20 points) helped the JackJumpers advance, while Gary Clark (21 points and 10 rebounds) and Tyler Harvey (15 points) led the Hawks.

Perth took game one of the Playoff series at RAC Arena 89-81, with Crawford (19 points and 3 assists), McVeigh (17 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Lee (16 points) leading Tasmania, while Keanu Pinder (25 points and 7 rebounds), Bryce Cotton (15 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Usher (11 points) led the Wildcats.

With Lee suspended for game two, Doyle (24 points and 6 rebounds), McVeigh (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) and Deng (18 points and 5 rebounds) led Tasmania to a 102-94 win in Hobart, while Cotton (26 points and 3 steals) and Kristian Doolittle (20 points and 9 rebounds) were Perth’s best.

The deciding game returned to RAC Arena, where McVeigh (27 points and 6 rebounds) made 4-of-5 three-pointers for a new career high, with Doyle (24 points and 9 assists) and Magnay (18 points and 9 rebounds) helping Tasmania win 100-84 and advance to the Championship Series. Cotton (21 points) and Hyrum Harris (13 points and 3 assists) led Perth.

The Championship Series opened at John Cain Arena, where Chris Goulding (22 points), Jo Lual-Acuil (20 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Ian Clark (18 points and 6 rebounds) led Melbourne to a 104-81 win, while Drmic (18 points), Doyle (16 points and 8 rebounds) and McVeigh (13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) were Tasmania’s best.

Game two moved to Hobart, where McVeigh (16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists), Doyle (13 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists), Crawford (13 points and 4 assists) and Macdonald (13 points) led Tasmania to an 82-77 win, while Shea Ili (20 points), Goulding (19 points and 2 steals) and Lual-Acuil (9 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Melbourne.

Game three returned to Melbourne for McVeigh’s 100th appearance as a JackJumper, where McVeigh (18 points and 12 rebounds) made a long three-pointer from just beyond half-court at the buzzer after Doyle kept a loose in-bounds pass alive, giving Tasmania a 93-91 win and a 2-1 series lead. Deng (15 points) and Doyle (14 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals) provided support, while Matthew Dellavedova (21 points, 8 assists, and 3 steals), Goulding (17 points) and Luke Travers (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks) led United. Lee left late in the third quarter after an accidental collision with Crawford and was later ruled out for the remainder of the series with a knee injury.

Game four moved to Hobart, where McVeigh (28 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals) produced his season-high scoring game, but his near-half-court attempt at the final buzzer missed as Melbourne forced a decider with an 88-86 win. Doyle (14 points and 6 rebounds), Crawford (14 points) and Macdonald (14 points) supported McVeigh, while Ian Clark (18 points and 4 rebounds), Travers (17 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists), Goulding (17 points) and Dellavedova (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) led United.

Game five returned to John Cain Arena, where Crawford (32 points and 6 rebounds) scored 27 points in the first half, with McVeigh (14 points and 8 rebounds), Magnay (11 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Doyle (11 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals) helping Tasmania defeat Melbourne 83-81 for the first championship in club history. Lual-Acuil (14 points and 6 rebounds), Travers (13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Dellavedova (13 points and 7 assists) and Goulding (13 points and 2 steals) led United before Dellavedova’s potential game-winner missed at the buzzer. McVeigh was awarded the Larry Sengstock Trophy as Championship Series MVP.

"Jack McVeigh. Simply incredible."

(🧵2/2) pic.twitter.com/vH6NTkgzvc— NBL (@NBL) August 17, 2024

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2025/26
After finishing last with an 8-21 record in NBL25, Cairns initially parted ways with Adam Forde before bringing him back as head coach in June. Rob Edwards (to Xinjiang), Taran Armstrong (to Golden State), Tanner Groves (to Nagasaki), Pedro Bradshaw (to Rostock) and Akoldah Gak (to Mexico City) exited, while Sam Waardenburg, Kyrin Galloway, Alex Higgins-Titsha, Kyle Adnam and Kody Stattmann returned. Forde added Jack McVeigh (via Houston), Admiral Schofield (via Lyon), Reyne Smith (via Louisville), Marcus Lee (via Melbourne) and Mawot Mag (via BYU), while Andrew Andrews (via Vilnius) replaced Ashton Hagans before the season began.

McVeigh joined Cairns on a two-year marquee deal containing a mutual option for the second season, becoming the club’s first marquee player since Nathan Jawai and only the second in Taipans history. He returned to the NBL after playing nine NBA games with Houston and 35 games for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, having previously led Tasmania to the NBL24 championship and earned Championship Series MVP honours.

Cairns opened the season at John Cain Arena on September 20, where McVeigh (18 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the starting group, but South East Melbourne defeated the Taipans 114-77. Smith (19 points and 6 rebounds) and Lee (10 points and 12 rebounds) were Cairns’ other main contributors, while John Brown III (14 points, 4 assists, and 6 steals) set the tone for the Phoenix.

McVeigh (21.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4 assists across 29 games) started every game he played and became the centrepiece of the Taipans’ offence, despite a wrist injury sidelining him during October. He scored at least 20 points on 16 occasions and produced multiple 40-point performances during his first season in Cairns.

Returning to the city where his NBL career began on November 16, McVeigh (39 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists) shot 15-of-25 from the field and carried a seven-man Cairns rotation into overtime before Adelaide won 105-101 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. King (21 points) and Lee (15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) supported McVeigh, while Cotton (41 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals) delivered the deciding performance for Adelaide.

McVeigh’s best scoring game came against New Zealand at the Cairns Convention Centre on December 19, where he celebrated his 200th NBL appearance with 47 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block as Cairns defeated the Breakers 99-95. He shot 16-of-21 from the field, 6-of-8 from three and 9-of-9 at the free-throw line to produce the highest-scoring performance by a Taipan during the 40-minute era, with Waardenburg (16 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists) and Lee (15 points) helping Cairns end seven consecutive losses to New Zealand, while Mennenga (24 points and 8 rebounds) led the Breakers.

Facing his former team on January 30, McVeigh (40 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) played all 45 minutes and converted all 17 of his free throws as Cairns defeated Tasmania 96-93 in overtime. Stattmann (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) and King (16 points) helped the Taipans move two games clear of last place, while Deng (28 points and 8 rebounds) was Tasmania’s leading scorer.

McVeigh and Andrews (14.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists across 31 games) were Cairns’ two leading offensive players, while Waardenburg (15.5 points and 5.4 rebounds across 8 games) was restricted to less than a quarter of the season. King (11.2 points and 4.4 rebounds across 22 games) joined as an injury replacement for Higgins-Titsha, while Smith (9.9 points across 14 games), Schofield (8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds across 30 games), Galloway (7.6 points and 4.6 rebounds across 33 games), Lee (6.8 points and 5.4 rebounds across 33 games), Stattmann (6.6 points across 23 games) and Higgins-Titsha (6.3 points and 4.6 rebounds across 9 games) were the other main contributors.

McVeigh earned All-NBL Second Team honours and was named Cairns’ club MVP and Members’ Choice MVP, while Andrews received the Players’ Player award and Galloway was named Defensive Player of the Year. The Taipans also exercised the mutual option in McVeigh’s contract in February, retaining him for NBL27.

Unable to field its intended rotation because of injuries throughout the year, Cairns finished ninth with a 9-24 record and missed the postseason. The Taipans ended their season at Eventfinda Stadium on February 19, where New Zealand won 115-84 behind Mennenga (32 points and 9 rebounds), while Andrews (24 points and 7 assists) and Stattmann (20 points and 5 rebounds) led Cairns. McVeigh (6 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists) played 31:59 in the loss.

Jack McVeigh currently plays for the Cairns Taipans and has played 224 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists since entering the league in 2018.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Cairns Taipans – 2 Year Deal (2025-27)