Jumping Jack can shock the world

Tasmania JackJumpers and NBL fans already know how good Jack McVeigh is. 

But over the past month, he’s truly started to earn recognition on the world stage.

From his performances against China which helped him earn a dream Olympic debut, to earning a contract with the Houston Rockets in the NBA, and now his latest achievement, playing a huge role in the Boomers’ win over one of the best basketball nations in the world, Spain, McVeigh is flying high. 

“Man, this guy, he should go and buy a Powerball ticket, man,” former Australian star Brad Newley said on The Gold Standard podcast. 

“Everything is working for this guy.

“He came out a little shaky, but that's what he's in there to do. He got out there, missed a couple of shots early, but he hit a massive one down the stretch.

“Good on Jack, stepping in there, first game in the green and gold and first sub, who would have thought that six months ago? 

“He's an energiser bunny ... really happy for a young Aussie to come in and hit shots and represent the Australian team with every bit of passion he has.” 

McVeigh finished with 13 points and 7 rebounds in the Boomers’ win over Spain, more than justifying his selection in not just the 12-man squad, but as a regular part of the team’s bench rotation. 

“He had a three-minute stretch there that wasn’t great, where he fouled a three-point shooter twice ... he battles and these aren’t fouls for lack of trying,” three-time Olympian Andrew Bogut added. 

“His defence people question at times, but what I like about it is he’s going to try, he’s going to battle and he made two big threes. 

“In your first Olympic games if you come in and have 13 and 7, that’s a pretty impressive performance.”

>> BOOMERS AT THE OLYMPICS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Bogut said opposition teams could be caught by surprise by a name not necessarily familiar on the international stage prior to this year. 

“These Euro teams wouldn’t know a lot about Jack McVeigh, and that plays into their (the Boomers’) hands,” Bogut added.

“The way he plays is kind of unorthodox, helter-skelter, all over the shop at times, energy, up and unders and (he) just does some strange stuff ... for the Euros it’s a little frustrating.

“He’s probably not on the scouting report, so that probably plays into his hands. 

“I think the next game, Canada will probably be a little bit more prepared for him.”

McVeigh and former JackJumpers teammate Will Magnay both impressed in their Olympic debuts, while Melbourne United’s Matthew Dellavedova provided valuable minutes with his hustle off the bench. 

The Australians will be in action again on Tuesday night against Canada, with tip-off at 9.30pm AEST.