McVeigh has his say on out of contract JackJumpers import trio

The JackJumpers will have some big decisions to make in the coming weeks with its three American imports all out of contract. See what star Jack McVeigh had to say on the imports and how he’s feeling following a tough semi-final exit.

Jack McVeigh reveals what the team hopes to look like next season and spoke on whether he viewed the JJs second season a success (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

STAR forward Jack McVeigh admits he and his Aussie teammates have already been trying to regain the signatures of Tasmania’s trio of out of contract American imports as they look to ‘run it back’ with the same squad next season.

With the dust settling on another NBL season, the JackJumpers front office will now turn its attention to negotiations and big decisions on popular imports Milton Doyle, Josh Magette, and Rashard Kelly as they look to assemble their squad for NBL24.

Speaking upon the team’s return to Hobart on Monday following its tough season-ending loss to the Breakers in New Zealand, McVeigh said a recruitment drive led by the players had already begun to encourage their American teammates to stay in the Apple Isle.

“The recruitment already started last night,” McVeigh said.

“It’s always a tough one in professional sports where the turnover, especially with imports, is always high.

“But we were recruiting them last night and the boys were getting around them telling them to ‘run it back’ so we'll always be chasing that,” he said.

“One of the beauties and curses of sport is you never know when the same team will be together or when you’ll see teammates again or all that chaos of professional sport and so it [postgame end of season celebrations] was just appreciating each other’s company.”

JackJumpers imports Rashard Kelly, Josh Magette, and Milton Doyle alongside Jack McVeigh at MyState Bank Arena. Picture: Chris Kidd

The ‘Smiling Assassin’ said it had been a bittersweet aftermath for the JackJumpers as another hugely successful season ended in heartache and just one win shy of another NBL Grand Final appearance.

“It’s a bunch of mixed emotions at this time of the year and I’ll definitely need some time to reflect on it,” the energetic forward said.

“On one hand you’ve got what we are building and how proud we are to be a part of that and the effort that we’ve put in all year and everyone from the top of the club to the coaching staff to the players.

“Then on the other hand there’s the disappointment as we believed we were good enough to win the whole thing.

“But we came across a really really good team and you’ve got to give credit where credit is due so its mixed emotions at this time of year.”

McVeigh shoots during game two of the NBL Semi Final series between the JackJumpers and New Zealand Breakers at MyState Bank Arena, on February 16, 2023, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

McVeigh said despite falling short of a championship the JackJumpers second season was certainly no failure.

“I think it’s a success,” he said.

“Right now it’s disappointing as we want to win the whole thing and bring a championship to Tasmania.

“But the amount of work that goes into it behind the scenes, selling out every single game, the memberships, the community and seeing how much its positively impacted kids in Tasmania … its bigger than just winning basketball games.

“We always want a championship but seeing the impact the JackJumpers are having on the community is something we can continue to grow and on that front it’s been a massive success.”

After elevating his game to become one of the NBL’s best players this season, McVeigh said to expect an even better version come NBL24.

McVeigh says he’ll be an even better player come NBL24 (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

“Next year you’ll see a better Jack McVeigh than you saw this season just like you saw a better Jack McVeigh this year than you did last, “the confident 26-year-old said.

“I’m someone that thinks I have a high ceiling and I want to try and reach that and continue to grow to that point and who knows how high that point its depending on the work I’m willing to put in.”

The hot-shooting forward said becoming a better decision maker with the ball in his hands and improving on the defensive end were two areas he was looking to improve.

McVeigh also said he was yet to make a decision on where he would play in the NBL off-season following reports he was in negotiations with European clubs.