Will Magnay says he will never play for another NBL club after marking his 100th game for the Tasmania JackJumpers with a win.
The captain had 17 points, double-figure rebounds and three blocks in the 84-82 victory over Melbourne United at MyState Bank Arena on Thursday night.
He made 12 of 14 free throws, including two with 30 seconds left that put Tasmania ahead 80-79.
After Melbourne levelled the scores at 82-82, Taran Armstrong hit the winning jumper with 5.5 seconds to go.
Magnay said the club had stood by him through tough times, offering him a new contract after he broke his foot two years in a row.
“I’ll never play anywhere else in the NBL,” he said at a post-match press conference. “This is my home. This is my club.”
He said if he ever left, it would be to play overseas. “I just love coming to work,” he said.
Coach Scott Roth has worked with Magnay for six years. In that time Magnay has won a championship and become an Olympian.
Asked if this was Magnay’s best all-round game, Roth joked “probably”.
Roth said he was proudest of who Magnay had become away from basketball.
“The biggest thing for me is what he’s done off the floor,” he said. “He’s grown as a man since he’s been here.”
“To see him flourish in those areas is what I’d coach for.”
“I love him to death. He’s a wonderful human being and he’s got a great family and we’re happy to obviously have him.”
Magnay said he would probably appreciate the milestone more once he retired.
“It’s always a little bit nicer to win on your milestone game,” he said.
For now, he is focused on Saturday’s game against the Bullets in Brisbane.
The JackJumpers next play at home when they host the Adelaide 36ers at MyState Bank Arena on October 16.
