Brisbane Bullets star Will Magnay forced to put NBA dream on hold

Bullets young gun Will Magnay has caught the eye of several NBA clubs after a breakout NBL season but his path to the big time has been halted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Will Magnay has had interest from several NBA clubs. Picture: Steve Pohlner

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Rising Australian basketball star Will Magnay still has his sights set firmly on the NBA this year and would love to play with superstar LeBron James.

Speaking on the Gibbo Goes One-on-One NBL podcast with decorated veteran and former Brisbane Bullets teammate Adam Gibson, Magnay said he was still in conversations with NBA clubs, most recently as Wednesday.

The 21-year-old, who enjoyed a breakout NBL season with the Bullets, was set to meet nine NBA clubs before the COVID-19 crisis closed international borders.

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Will Magnay has had interest from several NBA clubs. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The 208cm power forward/centre won the NBL’s Most Improved Player gong and earned selection in the Boomers squad for Asia Cup qualifiers after bursting to prominence with his athletic and powerful shot-blocking and slam-dunking.

NBA clubs started to “pester” the Brisbane-born big man after his matchwinning performance against Andrew Bogut and the Sydney Kings in December, culminating with the Golden State Warriors informally approaching Brisbane about releasing the former Nudgee College student for a 10-day contract.

Magnay – who signed an NBL contract extension with the Bullets at the end of the season – said he had not given up hope of making the jump to the NBA as early as the 2020-21 campaign.

“That’s the goal, to not be in the NBL this time next year. As much as I love the NBL, my goal is to be at the higher level,’’ he said.

Will Magnay starred for the Bullets against former NBA big man Andrew Bogut in an NBL clash last season. Picture: AAP

“It’s a bit of a wait-and-see kind of thing. Who knows when the borders will open back up? There’s so many what-ifs.

“The plan is to stay in the best shape I can. I’m playing in the NBL, which is a pretty special league ... it’s not a bad option at all.

“I’d originally planned to visit about nine teams to do a bit of a tour and a workout. COVID-19 has shut that down pretty quickly. I’ve had a few Zoom calls with GMs (general managers) and VPs (vice-presidents) of some teams, just getting to know them and meet them. We’ll see what happens in the end. I’ll keep working.

“The Golden State Warriors had asked the Bullets, if they offered me a 10-day contract, would the Bullets release me. That was the conversation that went down. There was interest but never anything on paper.”

Will Magnay would love to play alongside LeBron James in the NBA. Picture: Getty Images

Magnay said it was an easy decision to re-sign with the Bullets given Brisbane was his home town and the club’s coaching staff had played such a major role in his development.

Playing alongside James, who Magnay considers to be the best player of all-time ahead of Michael Jordan, would be a dream come true.

“I’d love to play with LeBron,” he said. “I think it would be pretty special.

“(He) is in the conversation for the greatest player of all-time and just to be able to see his day-to-day stuff and how he works and just be around that all the time, would be pretty special, but we’ll see how that goes.’’

The Bullets received a boost for next season on Wednesday after centre Matt Hodgson recommitted to Brisbane after exploring his options in Europe.