McVeigh backs bouncing JackJumpers start

The Tasmania JackJumpers approached this off-season in a situation they had never previously experienced in their short history – that of something resembling wholesale roster change, but star forward Jack McVeigh says it won’t be used as an excuse should the side start slowly in NBL24.

Like the NBL23 pre-season the JackJumpers have farewelled two of their three imports – this time Josh Magette and Rashard Kelly – but key foundation players Matt Kenyon, Sam McDaniel and Jarrad Weeks have departed, as has sparkplug guard Isaac White.

The club has brought in a veritable handful of established NBL talent, which includes Nominated Replacement pair Lachie Barker and Majok Majok and fully rostered Majok Deng, Junior Madut and Anthony Drmic, along with former Melbourne import Marcus Lee.

“We’ve started slowly the last two years to start the season, so that’s something we’re not too stressed about,” McVeigh told SEN.

“We know what we do here, bringing back Milton helps the imports find their role, find their groove with the little things like where to eat off the court, how to go about things like that, and then on-court we know what we do.

“We’re going to play defence, we know the drills we’re going to be doing every single day, we know the style of play, so it’s pretty quick to pick up and if you don’t you’ll get exposed very quickly.”

Following two seasons of consistent improvement with the JackJumpers, McVeigh himself could be set to launch into the top shelf of the NBL’s list of local stars.

The former Adelaide 36er spent his off-season helping save German side Heidelberg from relegation to the nation’s second tier competition, and has come back to Tasmania feeling rip-roaring and ready to go ahead of NBL24.

“This is the first time I’ve taken some time off, usually if you play NBL1 it’s all year round but I took three, four months off and worked on my body, skill development and focused a bit more on that side of my game, and that’s been nice," McVeigh said. 

“[Playing in Germany was] opportunity first and foremost. I’ve never got to go and play overseas so experiencing being an import, playing in a great league in Germany, making some extra money as well on the side and developing my career.

“The NBL in terms of an attraction for imports overseas is popular. In Germany guys were talking about it and wanting to come to the league. It’s English-speaking, great weather, our league’s continuing to grow year by year.

“I’m coming into camp refreshed, feeling good mentally and physically, and that little break was needed for me.”

Tasmania’s NBL24 season will open on Friday, September 29 against Perth.