A collection of new updates from the week.
Magnay ruled out for remainder of the season
Disappointing news this week is the confirmation that Centre Will Magnay’s knee injury will rule him out for the remainder of the NBL 21-22 season.
Magnay has played 11 games this season, with his last appearance on the road against Melbourne United on 6 February. The bone bruise hasn’t required any surgery and was expected to see him spend a month on the sidelines. Unfortunately the recovery has taken longer than expected with the medical team making the call to rule him out fir the season with 4 games remaining in the season.
It has been a frustrating season for Magnay, who joined the JackJumpers as a marquee player following a season with the New Orleans Pelicans and the Perth Wildcats in across the 20-21 season. He missed preseason as he underwent surgery prior o the season start and came into the season needing several games to return to full match fitness.
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite only playing 11 games for the JackJumpers Will showed glimpses of his best form, particularly on the defensive end. With him out of the lineup most of the season, and no genuine back up centre on the roster the JackJumpers adapted to small ball lineups and found ways to grind out wins. Their 13-11 record is remarkable but you wonder what could have been possible with their premier big man on the court.
Attention will now turn to his immediate future as he only signed for the JackJumpers for one season. At only 23 years old, the JackJumpers no doubt would love to hang onto him and continue his development. But his ability to stay on the court would be of concern, particularly with the Tasman’s lack of depth with bigs. Additionally, with most of the 2nd unit signed on multi-year deals its going to be difficult to find a space for a back up big.
Seven-foot development player Josh Perry found extended minutes at the centre position during magnays absence. Perry was very serviceable at the 5 position, but has a very different game to Magnay, he is more of a stretch five and less aggreisive than Magnay. There is the issue of upgrading Perry from DP toa full contract, because if they don’t do this he find himself on the radar of other teams needing a big off the bench who can shoot shoot 3’s and stretch the floor.
Nikita Mikhailovskii returns to the court in Russia
Former JackJumper and Next Star Nikita Mikhailovskii has played his first game back in Russia following his mutual release from the JackJumpers.
He returned to his former team Avtodor Saratov who play in the VTB United league. Mikhailovskii contributed a game high 25 points (8-12 shooting) 9 rebounds and 6 assists in a one point loss to Enisey.
These are some very impressive numbers on his return back to the Russian league. Despite his offensive numbers, his defensive limitations is what caused his limited minutes in the NBL.
There is limited footage from this game, however in the match highlights he has an impressice coast to coast and-one play in the final 30 seconds to give them a chance to tie the game (1.30 onwards).
No crowd for NZ Breakers v JackJumpers home game in Hobart
The New Zealand Breakers have confirmed that their home game against the Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena on April 15 will be closed to the public.
In a statement to the Green Ant Rant, the team advised that the match is a ‘home’ game for the Breakers and is a commercial decision to close the game to public.
Back in February the Breakers hosted the JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena in front of a crowd of 1800. The crowd was well down on regular games, but was partly due to the NBL scheduling matches on a round by round basis and limited promotion of the game.
COVID-19 has caused a number of restrictions between Australian and New Zealand. Due to this, the Breakers have been based in Melbourne for the duration of the NBL season, but most of their “home “ games played in Hobart and Cairns. All their home games so far have been held behind closed doors apart from the JackJumeprs game in February.
In this upcoming round the Breakers will play two home games in Bendigo against the South East Melbourne Phoenix and the Sydney Kings. Crowds will be welcome at both of these games.
