MVP watch: McVeigh in Cairns spotlight

The significance of Jack McVeigh joining Cairns is undeniable.

Backing that view is Derek Rucker, who placed the Australian Boomer and former Houston Rocket at number five in his Pre-Season top 15.

“I think he’s going to be an MVP candidate this year in Cairns and really embrace that opportunity he has up there,” Rucker said, labelling the NBL24 Championship Series MVP as a big-time winner and high-character guy.

“[I know] he’s going to enjoy the challenge of taking a team that finished at the bottom last season and try to get them in playoff contention.

“After his time in the NBA and G-League, physically, he looks much better, and he’s developed some other skills that are going to be hard for NBL teams to deal with on the offensive end.

“[Not to mention] he has a greater perspective on what basketball is about and how to best attack it as a professional.

“He is going to be a superstar this season, and I can’t wait to watch him play.”

Rucker also forecast that the 29-year-old will light up opponents at the Cairns Convention Centre in NBL26.

“He’s going to have at least three 30-point games in far-north Queensland, which is really hard to do consistently in today’s NBL, with the league being so heavily scouted and full of talent,” Rucker said.

The NBL24 championship-winner finished only behind Adelaide’s Bryce Cotton, Sydney’s Kendric Davis, Adelaide’s Montrezl Harrell and New Zealand’s Parker Jackson-Cartwright in Rucker’s Top 15.

McVeigh and his Taipans tip-off their NBL26 season on Saturday, September 20, against South East Melbourne at John Cain Arena from 5.30pm AEST on ESPN.