Magnay and Drmic to lead playing group in NBL26

The Tasmania JackJumpers are proud to announce that Will Magnay has been named Captain of the club for NBL26, with seasoned guard Anthony Drmic appointed as Vice-Captain.

Magnay, a foundation player for the JackJumpers and fan favourite, steps into the captaincy role in his 5^th season for the club.

The 26-year-old centre is excited to embrace the opportunity to lead the team into its next chapter.

“It’s an incredible honour to be named captain of this club,” said Magnay.

“Tasmania means a lot to me, and to be trusted to lead this group of guys and represent this state in that way is something I take very seriously.

“We have a special culture here and I’m excited to help carry that forward” he said.

Following the retirement of Inaugural Captain Clint Steindl at the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, the playing group voted on the new leadership group earlier this week after a successful NBL Blitz campaign and solid pre-season training block.  

Steindl made the announcement to the playing group, coaches and staff on Wednesday night.  

“He's a good mate. We have been teammates for a long time and playing under him was incredible because he was such steady head.

“For him to pass down to me was really cool and a moment I never thought I would cherish things like that, but I really do.

“I think the group voted me in for what I've been doing so far so I'm not going to try and change that too much. Just try and learn how people want me to lead is a big part of it and be a role model on and off the court and continue to try and grow in that area” he said.

JackJumpers Chairman Steve Old, Head Coach Scott Roth, New Captain Will Magnay, Vice-Captain Anthony Drmic, CEO Christine Finnegan and Inaugural Captain Clint Steindl at the captaincy announcement on Wednesday. IMAGE: Romani Kenworthy. 

The appointment follows Magnay being named captain of Australia for the FIBA Asia Cup last month, where the Boomers won Gold in Saudi Arabia.

“I think there's some stuff from that I can bring back into this group with sort of a new group, new team, new environment this season. I really learnt to keep a cool head when the other [Boomers] guys were looking to me in tough moments” he said of the experience.

Joining him in the leadership group is Anthony Drmic, whose veteran experience, toughness, and work ethic have been instrumental since his arrival at the JackJumpers in the NBL23 Season.

Drmic's presence has provided a strong influence both in the locker room and during clutch moments on the court.

“Having someone like Drm beside me is huge, It's going to be a fun experience, and I'm really excited to go on that journey with him” Magnay said.  

“He's a bit more experienced than I am, so he has seen a little bit more and done a bit more than I have as well. It’ll be great to have that experience and lead from the front”.

Drmic said he’s excited to take on a leadership role in the latter part of his career.

“Extremely humbled and honoured to be voted in. I think it's a cool way to do captaincy, having the players vote because those are the guys you go to war with, and they get to pick their leaders.

“I feel like I've shied away from leadership roles in the past, but I did do a lot of personal growth in the off season to try and take on more responsibility there, and I an now really thrilled about this opportunity with Mags” Drmic said.

New JackJumpers Captain Will Magnay and Vice-Captain Anthony Drmic IMAGE: Romani Kenworthy. 

The JackJumpers will open the 2025/26 Hungry Jack’s NBL Season on September 18 against Melbourne United at MyState Bank Arena.

Every game of NBL26 is live on ESPN.