Will Magnay signs contract extension with Brisbane Bullets
A key move from a coach on a two-game road trip helped set up Bullets star Will Magnay for the seaon that has led to him re-signing with Brisbane and attracted interest from up to 10 NBA teams.
Basketball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Basketball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Update: Will Magnay’s breakthrough NBL season was preceded by a weekend in July last year that set him on a path likely to land him an NBA contract.
The 208cm shot-blocking sensation has signed a new two-year deal with Brisbane but with up to 10 NBA clubs chasing him, Magnay is no certainty to be in Bullets colours next season.
“My agent’s been really good in keeping them off my back while I focus on the NBL season,” the 21-year-old giant said on Tuesday.
“This week I’ll start focusing more on the outside noise that’s going on, talking to the club (the Bullets) and trying to find out what options are best for me, and go from there.”
Watch the 2019/20 NBA Season with ESPN on KAYO. Up to up to 7 LIVE games every week! New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Magnay paid tribute to Bullets coach Andrej Lemanis and assistants CJ Bruton and Sam Mackinnon in helping him turn potential into performance.
“The club was huge this year, especially players having confidence in me to go do it,” he said.
Mackinnon, recently appointed to the role of Bullets assistant general manager, also coached Magnay last year at Queensland Basketball League club, the Brisbane Capitals.
“He just needed a body of work, and some consistency,” Mackinnon said.
“He’s had some injuries and illnesses, so he just needed a free run at it, and part of it was just him playing basketball and having the freedom to shoot the three-ball, to not be subbed out of a game, and learn a bit about his body.”
Mackinnon said the “turning point” for Magnay came on a Mackay-Rockhampton road trip in July.
“We had a double header against Mackay and Rocky, and they’ve got some bigs, and Will was looking at me for a sub, and I just looked away,” the three-time Olympian and 2007 NBL MVP said.
“This was where you’re going to get to learn a lot about yourself and what you can push your body to.
“We won both games that weekend, and I think that was a bit of a turning point for Will for the belief in himself.
“You talk about the NBA - their big guys can either shoot a three or they’re good at defence. Will has the ability to do both of those.”
A quad strain ruled Magnay out of the national squad to play New Zealand and Hong Kong in FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers at this weekend.
However, former Boomers coach Lemanis tipped Magnay to push for Tokyo Olympics selection.
“In terms of that national program, at this level … the reality is that there are a certain number of players that pick themselves,” Lemanis said.
“Once you establish that as a coaching staff, then you start to say ‘what are the one or two elite skills that perhaps we’re missing or we need some support?’. That’s where Will is in a strong position because he has a unique, elite, world-class skill.”
Originally published as Will Magnay signs contract extension with Brisbane Bullets