Magnay finding his feet

He’s only played three games this season, but Will Magnay has already made a big statement to the rest of the competition, and wider basketball world – his NBA dream is far from over.

In fact, before he agreed to join the Tasmania JackJumpers, he says he had one main aim: “I want to get back to the NBA.”

“When I spoke to Scott (Roth) first it was the easiest decision I’ve made, he just labelled it all out - 'this is the work we’re going to do, this is the progress I see you making',” Magnay told Peter Hooley on the latest edition of The Huddle.

Magnay started his NBL career with the Brisbane Bullets at the age of 19, and after just three seasons and a Most Improved Player Award, he made the jump to the NBA on a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2020.

While Magnay had ambitions for a long career overseas, a COVID and injury impacted season brought the dream to a grinding halt, and he returned to the NBL via the Perth Wildcats, before eventually landing in Tasmania, where his relationship with head coach Scott Roth is helping him find his feet again.

“We definitely have an interesting relationship, we kind of both hold each other accountable ... I have a demeanor where I will speak my mind, he’s always encouraged me to do that. He encourages me to stand up and try to be a leader. He’ll also hold me to the same standard as everyone else. We have a good relationship and I really enjoy his coaching style.

“I think he's a coach that no matter where we are on the ladder ... his process is the same.

“He believes in what he believes in and instils that in you as a player and it's like, 'All right, well, we're sticking this out' … he does a great job of getting you to buy into the program and the culture and the club. And no matter who you are, you're being held accountable.”

Magnay and the JackJumpers play Adelaide on Saturday, December 2 at 8pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo.