"F****** brutal" injury run can't keep JackJumpers star down

Since arriving in Tasmania, centre Will Magnay has cemented himself as one of the top big men in the League.

The JackJumpers captain is the heartbeat of his side's elite defence and a big part of why they've been so successful since entering the Hungry Jack's NBL.

The one knock on the 28-year-old has been his health and ability to stay on the court during the rigours of a long season. Since the NBL22 campaign, the 2024 Olympian has played 97 games out of a possible 163 games.

Despite that record, Magnay heads into NBL27 fit and firing, having learnt from the injury challenges he's faced during his career.

"Some people go through all good and have an amazing career, and some people learn different lessons along the way. That's definitely been me. [I've had] a bit of bad luck and some unfortunate timing with how injuries happened," Magnay told Fox Sports.

"Sometimes the timing of mine have just been f***** brutal. I am rolling, feeling good, bang, go down. That's happened a few times. It's really led me to love being on the floor, because I know just as much as I like it, it can just be done just like that.

"It's been a hell of a journey, but I think all these lessons of injury and all these setbacks have just put me on this course of just enjoying where my feet are and just trying to have a good time doing it, you know?

"Because it could just be done. And you never know, like it just happens to anyone and injuries happen and all that stuff. I'm proud of where I'm at and proud of what I've done."

Magnay's Ants will open their new campaign on Monday night against South East Melbourne at MyState Bank Arena.

"I'm feeling fit, I'm feeling good. I've had a couple of good weeks of practice, and I had a good hit-out in those two games against Sydney, so I'm feeling good," Magnay told The Mercury.

"[The] Phoenix are obviously fast-paced; they are up and down and like to shoot threes. They are aggressive in the lanes, so they will be an interesting match-up.

"We always play a high-octane game with them, and if we can keep the tempo around where we want it, we will be in a good spot."

Monday's Round 1 fixture tips off at 7.30pm AEST, live on ESPN.

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