Collingwood has finalised their 2018 list by signing former Cairns Taipans shooting guard Jack Madgen.
24 year old Jack is the youngest of the Adelaide bred Madgen family which includes Tess Madgen, who spent time in the WNBL and WNBA before signing with heading over to play in Europe and former Sydney Kings captain Ben Madgen who currently plays for Lithuania team Lietuvos Rytas.
“My brother had done the college scene and my sister was at the AIS for basketball when I had to make the choice,” Jack said.
“To be honest, I was probably better at footy, but basketball was a passion. I really wanted to go to college and get an education and university degree.”
Jack spent four years at Delta State University, he averaged 9.9 points per game as a senior and finished third in the Delta State record books for 3-pointers made (185) and attempted (467).
Madgen spent time as a developmental player for the Taipans during the 2016/17 season but never made it into an regular season NBL game. After the conclusion of last years NBL season he played a year with the Mount Gambier Pioneers in the SEABL.
Jack played football in South Australia’s Barossa Valley League until the age of 18 when he decided to play college basketball.
“I’ll bring an ability to read the play and react quickly to in-close circumstances. I hope I can bring some athleticism from my basketball background as well.
“But I’m really looking forward to putting in some hours in the gym and getting to know the boys better.”
Standing at 192cm, Madgen will join the club as a Category B rookie and is slated to play as a defender who can match up on tall or medium-sized forwards. The Magpies’ recruiting team hope the professional standards he has set in his basketball career can help him quickly adapt to life as an AFL footballer.
“In addition to impressive defensive capabilities, Jack has a huge work ethic and a real willingness to learn the game,” National Recruiting Manager Derek Hine told Collingwood Media.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
