BIO: Jack McVeigh was born in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, and grew up in nearby Cabarita Beach before relocating to the Gold Coast for schooling. He attended The Southport School, where his basketball journey began with the North Gold Coast Seahawks, having started playing the game at the age of five. McVeigh quickly emerged as one of Australia’s top junior prospects and was selected to represent Queensland in national championships. At the 2013 Australian Under-18 Championships, he averaged (24.3 points and 10.8 rebounds) per game, including a standout 41-point performance in the semifinals.

He followed that effort with a dominant campaign at the 2014 Australian Under-20 Championships, where he averaged (27.5 points and 9.3 rebounds) on 55 percent shooting to lead Queensland to a runner-up finish. For his efforts, McVeigh was awarded the Bob Staunton Medal as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, joining a prestigious list of winners that includes NBA players Patty Mills and Dante Exum.

In 2014, McVeigh relocated to Canberra to join Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence program, competing in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) across the 2014 and 2015 seasons. His performances at both national and development levels earned interest from several NCAA Division I programs, and he ultimately committed to the University of Nebraska after also considering LSU, Virginia, and Boise State. 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 narrowly missing out on the NBL championship the previous season, Adelaide entered a rebuilding phase due to the departure of several key players, most notably Mitch Creek, the team’s second-leading scorer. Creek pursued his NBA dream after a lengthy negotiation between Adelaide and Basketball Australia.

During the NBL 2018 off-season, Creek received approval to play in Germany with the understanding that he would return to the 36ers for the 2018/19 season. However, his strong performance overseas caught the eye of the Brooklyn Nets, who signed him to their G-League team. Adelaide responded by filing an injunction to prevent Basketball Australia from approving Creek’s NBA deal without compensation. After some initial backlash, a resolution was reached, allowing Creek to follow his NBA ambitions.

Other significant departures included Shannon Shorter (to Japan), Josh Childress (retired), and Matthew Hodgson (to Brisbane). To fill these gaps, Adelaide signed import Jacob Wiley (via Germany) to replace Creek and added point guard Adris De León to support scoring and playmaking duties. Rising stars Harry Froling and Jack McVeigh were also recruited directly out of college, bringing youthful energy to the team.

Despite these changes, Adelaide managed to retain key players from the previous season, including Nathan Sobey, Majok Deng, Adam Doyle, Brendan Teys, and import Ramone Moore. Leading scorer Daniel Johnson returned and took over as team captain in the absence of Creek.

Adelaide began the season with a loss to Perth (91–99) at home in Round 1 but bounced back with a victory over the Sydney Kings (94–83) on the road. In Round 3, Sobey delivered one of the season’s most notable performances, recording a triple-double (22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists) in the 36ers’ win over Cairns (91–83).

However, the 36ers then fell into a four-game losing streak, starting with a loss to New Zealand (114–94) and culminating in a narrow defeat to Brisbane (93–90) in Round 4. Key injuries, including a calf strain for Ramone Moore, further disrupted the team’s momentum. After their fourth consecutive loss, coach Joey Wright issued an ultimatum: if the team didn’t turn things around in the next game, roster changes would follow.

De León (11 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in 25 minutes) started but could not prevent a 12-point defeat to Sydney, resulting in his release (7.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists), and the signing of former Illawarra import Demitrius Conger. Meanwhile, Moore remained sidelined, leading Adelaide to also sign Shaun Bruce, who played out the rest of the season for the 36ers.

Adelaide’s inconsistency continued. After back-to-back wins against Cairns (109–95) and Illawarra (120–109) in Round 7, the 36ers lost a heartbreaker to Illawarra at home (86–87) and followed a victory over Brisbane (101–91) in Round 9 with another loss to Illawarra (90–93).

Despite this rollercoaster season, Jack McVeigh (3.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists) contributed with several standout performances. His best games included a 12-point, 5-rebound effort in a win against Perth (25 Jan 2019), followed by an 11-point, 7-rebound outing in a tight game against Melbourne United (28 Jan 2019). Another key performance came in a match against Cairns (2 Feb 2019), where he added 10 points and 4 rebounds, demonstrating his potential to impact the game on both ends of the floor.

Adelaide eventually found some rhythm in Round 14, winning four consecutive games, including a crucial victory over Perth (97–84) and a dominant win against Sydney (119–99). However, their inconsistency returned, with losses to Melbourne (114–91) in Round 16 and Brisbane (98–87 OT) in Round 17, ultimately affecting their playoff chances.

Alongside Jack McVeigh’s contributions, Daniel Johnson (17.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) and Nathan Sobey (16.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists) were both named to the All-NBL Second Team. Other key players included Jacob Wiley (12.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1 assist), Demitrius Conger (11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists), Anthony Drmic (9.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists), and Harry Froling (7.9 points, 4.6 rebounds), who won the NBL Rookie of the Year award.

Adelaide hovered between fourth and fifth place for most of the second half of the season, ultimately finishing equal with Brisbane at 14-14. However, the Bullets advanced to the playoffs due to a higher points percentage, bringing an end to Adelaide’s season in fifth place.

2019/20
Jack McVeigh’s second season with the Adelaide 36ers saw him continue to develop as a versatile forward. Despite team struggles, McVeigh delivered key performances throughout the season, helping Adelaide remain competitive in a tightly contested NBL campaign.

The 36ers had high expectations after reuniting with Jerome Randle, but inconsistency defined their season. They started with a promising 3-1 record, picking up early wins against Brisbane and Cairns, but struggled to find momentum against top-tier teams. Adelaide’s season became a story of missed opportunities, as they faltered in critical moments and couldn’t string together enough wins to secure a playoff spot. A four-game losing streak against South East Melbourne, Melbourne United, Sydney, and Perth exposed their inability to compete with the league’s elite teams.

McVeigh averaged 7.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists for the season, providing valuable contributions off the bench and occasionally stepping into a starting role. His ability to stretch the floor with his shooting and his versatility as a forward made him a reliable option in the rotation.

Some of McVeigh’s standout performances included a 20-point, 8-rebound game against the New Zealand Breakers (31 January 2020), where he shot an impressive 72% from the field and connected on 4 of 6 three-pointers. He followed that with a 16-point outing against Brisbane Bullets (19 October 2019), hitting 7 of 9 field goals and showcasing his efficiency. Another strong showing came against the Perth Wildcats (15 February 2020), where McVeigh recorded 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals, contributing on both ends of the floor.

After a mid-season push, including a morale-boosting win against South East Melbourne in round seven, the 36ers failed to maintain consistency. They dropped crucial games against lower-ranked teams like Illawarra and Cairns, which ultimately cost them a spot in the playoffs. Losses in their final two games to Melbourne United and Perth sealed Adelaide’s fate, leaving them with a 12-16 record and outside the playoff picture for the second consecutive season.

While the team’s overall performance was a disappointment, individual players like McVeigh, Jerome Randle (19.8 points, 4.5 assists), and Daniel Johnson (18 points, 8.3 rebounds) helped keep the 36ers competitive throughout the season. Adelaide finished fifth but missed the playoffs due to a lower points percentage compared to Brisbane, marking another year of unfulfilled potential for the team.

2020/21
After a turbulent end to the previous season, long-time head coach Joey Wright was released amidst player disputes and other issues. He was replaced by former Perth Wildcats assistant Conner Henry. This marked the start of a significant rebuild for Adelaide, with several roster changes. Co-captain Kevin White was granted a release from his contract, and key players Nathan Sobey and Harry Froling departed for Brisbane. Additionally, Obi Kyei requested a release to focus on his clothing line.

Despite these departures, the 36ers retained Jack McVeigh, Brendan Teys, Daniel Dillon, and Alex Mudronja, providing some continuity. On 12 March 2020, the team made a significant announcement with the signing of 18-year-old Josh Giddey under the NBL’s Next Stars program. Giddey had recently become the youngest Australian to debut for the Boomers since Ben Simmons.

Adelaide then focused on rebuilding their frontcourt. On 6 May 2020, five-time club MVP Daniel Johnson signed a new three-year deal, and Isaac Humphries, the 2018 NBL Rookie of the Year, returned from a stint in the NBA on a two-year contract. The team also brought in 25-year-old Keanu Pinder, who had been playing in Europe, on a one-year deal. To further bolster the roster, former Hawk Sunday Dech joined the 36ers on a three-year deal, and the team completed their import signings by bringing in experienced guard Donald Sloan and forward Tony Crocker.

The season began with a tough 65-89 loss against Melbourne, with coach Henry opting to start the young duo of Giddey (18 years) and Humphries (23 years). This led to a lineup change for the second game, where Sloan replaced Giddey at point guard, and Pinder swapped roles with Humphries. These adjustments paid off, as Adelaide defeated South East Melbourne 116-108, with Humphries delivering a standout performance off the bench (25 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks), earning him NBL Player of the Week honours.

However, the early season also saw a setback for Giddey, who suffered a nasty fall during a dunk attempt, leading him to miss the next game on medical advice. Sloan returned to the starting lineup for a rematch against South East Melbourne, but Adelaide lost the game, prompting Sloan to be benched in favor of Giddey for the rest of the season. Despite Sloan scoring a season-high 20 points off the bench, his dissatisfaction with the role saw him granted a mutual release shortly after.

As the season progressed, Adelaide initially looked like playoff contenders, starting with a 4-2 record. McVeigh showcased his scoring prowess, particularly in a match against New Zealand on 27 February 2021, where he scored 20 points, hitting 4-of-4 from three-point range, and added 5 rebounds in a strong offensive showing. Unfortunately, the team’s momentum was disrupted by the introduction of the NBL Cup – a bubble tournament held in Melbourne due to COVID-19. This eight-game stretch saw Adelaide’s form decline as they fell from third to seventh on the ladder.

To attempt a late-season recovery, Adelaide signed former NBA talent Brandon Paul to replace Jeremy Kendle, who had struggled (5.1 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists). However, the loss of Isaac Humphries to injury for the remainder of the season was a major blow, and Adelaide couldn’t regain their early form.

Despite the team’s struggles, Daniel Johnson continued to be a force on the court, averaging 19.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, leading the team in scoring for the sixth time. He was named co-MVP of the 36ers alongside Josh Giddey (10.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.6 assists), who led the league in assists and earned the NBL Rookie of the Year award. Jack McVeigh also had a breakout season, averaging a career-best 9.4 points across 36 games while shooting a career-high 42.5% from three-point range.

McVeigh’s standout performances included a 22-point game against Cairns on 14 April 2021, where he shot 52% from the field, including 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, and contributed 4 rebounds. He also impressed in a game against Brisbane on 11 March 2021, where he recorded 18 points and 7 rebounds, showcasing his all-around impact.

Despite individual highlights from players like McVeigh, Giddey, and Johnson, the 36ers ended the season with a disappointing 13-23 record, finishing seventh in the league and missing the playoffs.

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS
2021/22
With Jack McVeigh’s contract with Adelaide ending in 2022, he entered discussions with the league’s newest franchise, the Tasmania JackJumpers. Looking to establish a young core, the JackJumpers offered McVeigh a multi-year deal, making it an easy decision for him to move to Tasmania for his fourth NBL season.

The JackJumpers began their debut NBL season with low expectations, with multiple betting agencies offering 400:1 odds of winning the championship. However, in their NBL debut on 3 December 2021, Tasmania defeated Brisbane (83–74) in an overtime victory at home, starting the season with a bang.

After that early win, the newly formed squad struggled to find their rhythm. Heading into round eight, Tasmania had only managed one more victory and sat in ninth place (2-6). Things became more challenging when marquee signing Will Magnay suffered a season-ending injury, forcing head coach Scott Roth to shift the team’s strategy. Moving away from their reliance on perimeter shooting, they adopted a more balanced approach.

This shift paid off as the JackJumpers finished the season with 10 wins from their last 12 games, ending the regular season in fifth place (17-11). However, they weren’t done yet. In a Cinderella-like finish, Tasmania overtook Perth to secure fourth place and a playoff berth, thanks to the South East Melbourne Phoenix defeating the Perth Wildcats in the final game of the season.

McVeigh played a crucial role in Tasmania’s success, averaging 12.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists while shooting a career-high 91.5% from the free-throw line. His season was highlighted by several standout performances, including a career-best 26-point effort in a thrilling win over Melbourne United in April 2022 as the JackJumpers made a push for the playoffs. In another key game against the Brisbane Bullets on 26 February, McVeigh scored 21 points, shooting 50% from the field and 66% from beyond the arc, while adding 3 rebounds. Additionally, McVeigh delivered 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in a win over Illawarra Hawks in March, further solidifying his reputation as a key contributor for the JackJumpers.

In the playoffs, Tasmania faced the reigning champions and first-placed Melbourne United in the semifinals. Though they were not expected to fare well, Tasmania defied the odds. After losing game one on Melbourne’s home court (74-63), they evened the series on their home court. Heading into the deciding game three, Tasmania caught a break when United captain Chris Goulding was ruled out due to injury. Tasmania capitalised on the opportunity, defeating Melbourne in a thrilling 76-73 game to advance to the Grand Final series.

On the other side of the bracket, the Sydney Kings swept the Illawarra Hawks to set up a clash with Tasmania in the Grand Final series. Sydney won game one 95-78, but game two saw JackJumpers fan-favorite Josh Adams erupt for 36 points in front of a sell-out Tasmanian crowd. However, Sydney’s trio of Xavier Cooks, Jarrell Martin, and Dejan Vasiljevic proved too much, as they secured a 90-86 win, clinching their 12th consecutive road victory—the most in NBL history.

Dejan Vasiljevic with the 𝘿𝘼𝙂𝙂𝙀𝙍 🗡️

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

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

Sydney then closed out the series in game three, ending their 17-year championship drought in front of 16,000 fans at Qudos Bank Arena. Xavier Cooks and Jarrell Martin combined for 45 points and 29 rebounds, helping the Kings claim their 19th win from their final 21 games of the season.

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.

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 215 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists since entering the league in 2018.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Cairns Taipans – 2 Year Deal (2025-27)