Jack jumps to Tassie with positive energy

“Energy everyday, there won’t be a drop from the first training, to the very last training I’m here” – that’s what JackJumpers forward Jack McVeigh is promising in his first NBL season in Tasmania. The former Adelaide 36er bounced off the Spirit of Tasmania this week, and is eager to get settled in his new home and create a strong culture under Head Coach Scott Roth.

“The coach, big time, we built a relationship just texting and calling a bit. This is the start of something special in Tassie. I can feel there’s a good energy, you get to lay down the foundations of what’s to come and that’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and something I want to be a part of,” McVeigh said.

“I bring intensity and passion, and then like fun and love for the game. At the end of the day, I love what I do, that’s playing basketball, and fans will know that and my team will know that.”

McVeigh has spent the last three seasons with 36ers where he averaged 9.4 points in the 2020-21 season.

“Last year was a cool experience for me because it was the first time I felt true confidence when I stepped on the court and you can fake it until you make it, but then last year when I walked on the court I knew I was one of the best guys out there. That’s a confidence you can’t fake so it’ll be something I’ll be building on, I’ve got so much to learn and improve but with that confidence… it’ll be an exciting year.”

New Lead Assistant Coach Jacob Chance also echoes that confidence after joining the JackJumpers from the NBL’s most successful franchise Perth Wildcats. 

“If I’ve learnt anything in the last six years in the League, it rewards a team that comes together the best and works the hardest, for the longest and the proof is there with Perth [Wildcats], it’s there with Melbourne [United], it’s there with New Zealand [Breakers] before that, and that’s ultimately what we’re trying to build – character, culture, fit, to be humble and hungry, so that’s our mantra,” Chance said.

“We’re here to be elite, we’re not here to make up numbers, we’re here to try and win a championship in our first year. The NBL doesn’t have time for rebuilding. It’s important that you bring in guys that are going to fit together and we’ve done that, we’ve got some high-level guys that are going to fit together and complement each other on the floor.

“I had a lot of success in Perth, so to try and translate that, out of that Perth environment was really important for me and my growth but ultimately to be around a good group again and starting from the top with Scott and the front office and all the players we’ve signed, it’s really exciting.”