30
Jun
NBA Free Agency
Hungry for more: McVeigh returns to US with a mission
Jack McVeigh #58 poses for a portrait during Houston Rockets Media Day at Toyota Center on September 30, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Photo: Darren Carroll/Getty Images
Jack McVeigh is likely to have ended his time with Houston, and is on the hunt for a new team.
- NBL champion and Grand Final MVP with Tasmania JackJumpers in 2024
- Signed two-way contract with Houston Rockets in July 2024, but not expected to be re-signed in 2025
- Represented Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Fresh off a career-defining year that saw him become both an Olympian and an NBA player with the Houston Rockets, Jack McVeigh is already looking ahead to what's next. The 29-year-old forward, currently a free agent, is preparing to return to the United States this week to continue pursuing his NBA dreams.
NBA Free Agency Period
"A year ago I was sitting in the NBL and I said, I would be happy with my career if I could score one NBA bucket," McVeigh revealed to 7News Adelaide. "Well, I was lying."
After getting a taste of NBA action across nine games with the Rockets, he's developed an appetite for more. His journey back to where his career began has been remarkable, and now he's giving back to the next generation while simultaneously planning his next career move.
McVeigh's immediate future involves returning to America to explore his options as a free agent. "Fly out Tuesday morning and then we get back to it, Summer League, talking to teams, working out with teams," McVeigh explained about his upcoming plans. With NBA contracts currently being dished out ahead of the free agency window period opening, it is expected Houston will not look to bring McVeigh back, with fellow Australian Jock Landale's future in Houston also looking ominious.
The Kevin Durant Factor
One particularly enticing possibility for McVeigh would be returning to the Rockets, who now feature one of basketball's greatest talents in Kevin Durant after a recent trade from the Phoenix Suns. The prospect of playing alongside such a legendary figure clearly excites McVeigh.
"He's one of the greatest scorers to ever suit up, and I'll tell you what, I'll have my notebook out, taking notes and trying to learn from the best," McVeigh said about the possibility of teaming up with Durant.
Durant's addition to the Rockets transforms the team's outlook and could provide McVeigh with an unparalleled learning opportunity. Few players in basketball history can match Durant's scoring ability and overall skill level. For McVeigh, absorbing knowledge from such a player could accelerate his development and help him carve out a more substantial NBA role.
Other Aussies Making The Jump To The NBA
With multiple NBL players chosen at last week's NBA Draft, the NBL has increasingly become a viable pathway to the NBA, with numerous players making the leap in recent years.
McVeigh's former teammate, Lachie Olbrich, was selected with the 55th pick by the Chicago Bulls in this year's NBA Draft and McVeigh can't wait to see him take to the NBA court.
"He's a beast. Coming into the NBL, he had a great year and then he got exactly what he deserved," McVeigh said.
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
