Willing and ready: Magnay leads Tasmania into new era

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Will Magnay’s appointment as Tasmania JackJumpers captain marks a new leadership era, with the Boomers star embracing the challenge of guiding a revamped roster and setting the tone for the club’s NBL26 campaign.

By AAP.

Big man Will Magnay's leadership stocks continue to rise, with the Australia captain chosen by his Tasmania JackJumpers teammates to lead the NBL club.

The 27-year-old will replace the retired Clint Steindl, Tasmania's inaugural skipper who took the franchise to a championship title in their third season.

Magnay recently led the Boomers for the first time, guiding them to Asia Cup success with a nail-biting one-point win over China in the final.

"The biggest thing I learned is having a cool head on court," Magnay said.

"When it was late-game in that China game, the young fellas were looking at me like 'what are we doing'.

"Just being able to take a moment, breathe, show them that nothing fazes me. Be a leader they can look up to and follow into battle."

Magnay, who is back in Tasmania after an NBA Summer League campaign with the Memphis Grizzlies, said he had never captained a team before getting the national gig.

"I hope everyone doesn't think my voice is the only one that matters now," he said.

"I like when everyone speaks up, and everyone's voice matters. I'll try to empower people to be their own leader."

The JackJumpers, who missed the finals last season for the first time since entering the NBL in 2021/22, have undergone a roster overhaul.

Steindl, Fabijan Krslovic, Reuben Te Rangi and imports Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford are among a sizeable list of outs.

Bryce Hamilton, David Johnson and Tyger Campbell are fresh imports, while Josh Bannan (Brisbane Bullets) is one of several players to join from fellow NBL clubs.

Pre-season signs are promising, with a second-place finish in the Blitz competition after two tight wins.

Magnay said he was excited to work with new vice-captain, veteran Anthony Drmic, and would back his style.

"I've always been strong-minded in my voice and pretty passionate about playing the right way and doing things the right way," he said.

"I've never been scared to show my voice. I think I've figured a way to regulate that a bit and lead in different styles for different people."