After winning the NBL championship with the JackJumpers, basketballer Will Magnay competed at the Paris Olympics with the Australian Boomers, playing against the best in the world.

SW: Was it always basketball? What were your junior sport years like?

WM: Basketball is the last sport I ever tried. We were encouraged to play every sport – I did track and field and swimming – but my family was big on rugby. Mum and Dad were from Sydney, so I was a rugby player growing up. Then, my brother and I went to Nudgee College, which is a rugby union school. It was rugby, rugby, rugby! I was 15 when I totally gave up rugby. I had nothing to do in term three at school so I thought I’d try basketball. I was messing around at training and the coach, who was one of my friend’s dads, suggested I try out for the rep team. I just loved it. You get to play defence, offence, you get to pass, to shoot, you get to do everything. My rugby background helped me with physicality. I remember Mum said to me, “Oh, Will, that looks rough out there.” I said, “Yeah, Mum, but no one’s standing on my head.” I got to that age where they make you choose, and I chose basketball.

SW: I loved the video of you and Jack McVeigh being told you’d made the Boomers team. Your reaction was, “Did Jack get in?” Did you always have a strong bond as teammates, or was that forged at camp?

WM: Jack has such an energy about him that you just want to be around it. It’s so positive and happy all the time. It’s really infectious. We had this thing going last season where every game we would check in about how we were doing and if we thought it was enough. It was an amazing year for the Jackies, and Jack was incredible through the final series and that was a really special time. When we made the camp, I remember calling him being like, “All right. Let’s go make it.” We stuck together at camp because we were both the newbies and didn’t really know anyone.

SW: I imagine it’s daunting.

WM: Yeah. I went to LA and had a mini camp with a few of the boys, so I met everyone and scrimmaged a little bit. I felt good – I belonged at that level. Jack was nervous going in. I was just trying to reaffirm him, he’s going to be okay. After day one, we were both like, “Yeah, we belong here, and let’s swing for it and give it a crack.” When they told me that I’d made it, we’d been on this journey together for so long and constantly talking about it. That comment was the first thing that sprung into my mind. I couldn’t imagine getting through that experience and Jack not being there.

SW: And did you give him a ribbing for not asking about you? WM: Ha, not really. We went to dinner the night before and we were talking about what we would say if we made it. And I was like, “I’ll just be happy, and I’ll probably ask if you made it.” He was laughing, and said, “Oh, I’m going to look at them stone cold in the face and say, ‘You made the right choice.'” And then if you watch the video, he just starts crying! Then, you could hear him say, “You made the right choice.” One of my favorite moments for that whole trip was that he came over to my room afterward, and we popped a bottle of champagne. I was so happy I got to do it with him.

SW: What was it like playing on the big names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry and LeBron James?

WM: You step on the court and you have to do your job. But they’re amazing players and incredible athletes. I never felt like I had to stop them, but I just had to do my job right, as well as I could. I was trying to execute the game plan, which is that everyone has to help you guard him because they’re good players. Someone said to me, “If you could guard them, you’d be getting paid more than them.” That was my approach – I had to go out there be physical, don’t be a pushover, and do my best for my country.

SW: And your family was there as well.

WM: It was really special. I didn’t realise how impactful it was to everyone else. I guess my friends and family felt like I was representing them.

SW: I think Tasmania felt like you were representing us.

WM: Yeah, for sure. For me, it was a goal. It was amazing, and it was special. But once I realised the impact on kids, friends and family, and people I haven’t heard from in years messaging me and saying they were so proud, it made me realise, “Oh, wow. It’s incredible.”

SW: Who did you learn from most in the Boomers?

WM: You pick up different things from different players, I think Delly’s (Matthew Dellavedova) profes­sionalism and how well he stays on top of his body was amazing to see in person. Also how locked in he was for practice and the minor details. He just ticked them all off every time. Joe Ingles, he’s a bit more of a freer spirit, but has a very unique approach to the game and he’s always conversing with you. The other two ‘bigs’, Duop Reath and Jock Landale – we spoke a lot about how to help each other, what we’re looking for. I was trying to just be a sponge and absorb it all.

SW: What does a typical JackJumpers and Hobart day look like for you now?

WM: We’re at practice most of the day. A standard day is weights at 7:30am for an hour followed by video at 9am. After video, we do a 45-minute block where half the team will be working out then swap. We call them Vitamins – something you want to work on through the week, whether it’s a specific move or just some touch or shots, some extra dribbling. After Vitamins, practice is about two hours, depending on a heavy day or light day, then recovery, lunch, physio, massage or whatever you need for your body. We’re usually done around 1pm.

SW: You played in the US after getting the most improved player in the NBL in 2020. Is a return back to the US on the cards after your Boomers journey?

WM: I mean, I hope so. But ultimately, that decision is not up to me. And all I can do is just try and play my best basketball. If that opportunity comes, I’ll attack it. If it doesn’t, then I’m very happy and content with where I’m at in Tasmania. I love it here. I love the team and the culture. I’m in a good spot in my career, just happy.

SW: I’ve heard that the Jackies fans are the best in the business. How does it help you during a game?

WM: They are the best in the business. It helps us in a couple of ways. Fans can be somewhat intimidating, and they’re definitely loud, so I know it’s rattled a few opponents in the past and that’s helped us get over the line. Fans also instill a lot of confidence in us to play the right way. It doesn’t necessarily always mean win, but they’re always proud of us for playing hard and trying to do it the right way. That’s what I really love about them – they understand, they’re just giving it a crack too. We’re never going to win every game, and the support is unwavering.

SW: It’s great how you guys are there signing stuff after each game, particu­larly for the kids.

WM: Yeah, it’s funny. I see some kids ask, “Can you sign this?” I’m like…I signed it twice already! Then they say “Can you sign my shoe now then?” It’s very wholesome. Sometimes you sign stuff and the parents are like, “Don’t sign that!” The kids being there gives you a bit of a perspective.

SW: What happens for you pre-game? What’s on your playlist?

WM: I always have a nap, and then I try and keep my playlist as light and playful as I can. Anything too hardcore can get me thinking too much about the game! I just try and relax as much as I can and plant my feet and realise, “It’s just a basketball game. You’re just out there playing with your mates.”

SW: What do you like to do while you’re in Hobart?

WM: I like exploring different food options. My favourite cafe is Bear With Me in South Hobart. They’re so sweet – they let me practice my latte art. They’re legends and the food’s awesome. When the weather is up to it, I love being in the water or by the water, reading my book. Honestly, not a lot!

SW: Any advice for juniors?

WM: My advice would be play every sport. You never know what you’re going to love. Just because you like basketball, doesn’t mean you’re going to do it, but you might stumble across something you absolutely love. So, try everything, play everything. Run your own race. Everyone gets to be at my level via a different path. There’s no right or wrong way, but there’s some kids who are the best when they’re 16, who aren’t the best when they’re 19. So, just keep growing, keep attacking each day, and just enjoy it. Don’t get too caught up in comparing yourself to people. As long as you’re enjoying it, you’re having a good time.

SW: I think there’s also now the business of getting kids to be high performing very early. WM: Yeah. Social media is the issue. You don’t need a YouTube channel, kids. If you’re good, they’ll find you. Comparison is the thief of joy.

SW: Anything else you’d like to add?

WM: Just that I love my Mum and Dad.