Tasmania JackJumpers centre Will Magnay ‘unlikely’ to return against Sydney Kings

The return of a Tasmania JackJumpers big man still looks to be some ways away despite his improvement at training. See the details.

Tasmania JackJumpers assistant coach Jarrad Weeks says big man Will Magnay is unlikely to return from injury against Sydney Kings this Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena.

Magnay has missed the opening three rounds with a foot injury he suffered while playing in Spain earlier this year with the club originally stating his availability would be reassessed ahead of the Kings game back on September 28.

While Weeks said the 25 year-old was “tracking well” on Thursday, his NBL24 return date is still no closer to being confirmed.

“(Will) is probably unlikely this weekend,” he said.

“He still has some fitness things that he needs to tick off before he jumps back into games but he is tracking well. He keeps improving every week and with Will it’s probably going to be a feel thing.

While recruit Marcus Lee continues to improve with every outing for the JackJumpers, Weeks said Magnay’s influence was something they were looking forward to having back on the floor when he does return.

“Will is a very vocal leader for us,” Weeks said.

“He sets the tone on the physicality end and the defensive end, he won the defensive player of the year for us last year, so (his return) is something we are looking forward to.

“Marcus keeps tracking well and getting better every week. We have some focus areas with Marcus to keep improving on, which he is excited about, and he takes those on the chin.

“A lot of that is physicality stuff. Obviously he is a great defender who has been on more of the deep drops for a lot of his career and we are asking him to go to another level this year.

“If we can get him to a phenomenal level, which he has the ability to do, then we will be in great shape.”

After calling time on his 250-plus game career at the end of the season, the foundation JackJumper is now four games into his new career on the other side of the floor.

“It’s stressful but an exciting time,” Weeks said.

“The other coaches are really good at helping me through and giving me pointers here and there.

“I’ve been preparing for this for the last two years and something I’ve looked forward too post-career so to be able to jump straight in at the JackJumpers was where I wanted to be.

“It’s just exciting to come to work every day and I’m privileged enough to enjoy coming to work every day and not wanting to leave.”

The JackJumpers currently sit fourth on the NBL ladder with 3-2 record but are the only team to defeat ladder leaders Melbourne United (4-1) and Sydney Kings (4-1) this season.

Sunday’s game against the Kings kicks off at 4:00pm.