Jack McVeigh Bio
Jack Edward McVeigh (born 27 June 1996) is an Australian professional basketball player who most recently played for the Cairns Taipans of the National Basketball League (NBL). Standing 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) and playing as a power forward, he has built a reputation as a versatile scorer and rebounder across Australian and American basketball. McVeigh is widely recognized for leading the Tasmania JackJumpers to their first NBL championship in 2024 and for becoming the first NBA player to wear jersey number 58.
He has also represented the Australian Boomers on the international stage, including at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. McVeigh continues to compete at a high level, with contracts in both the NBL and the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN).
Early Life and Background
Jack Edward McVeigh was born on 27 June 1996 in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, Australia. He grew up in nearby Cabarita Beach before relocating to the Gold Coast for boarding school. He attended The Southport School on the Gold Coast, where he began developing his basketball skills alongside his education.
McVeigh later moved to Canberra to attend Lake Ginninderra College, graduating in 2014. In 2014 and 2015, he played for the BA Centre of Excellence in the South East Australian Basketball League, a program designed to nurture top young Australian talent. He also represented the North Gold Coast Seahawks during his formative years.
Path to Basketball
McVeigh’s path to professional basketball began with his time at the BA Centre of Excellence, where he played in the South East Australian Basketball League. His performances there helped him earn a scholarship to play college basketball in the United States, joining the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 2015.
Over three seasons with Nebraska, McVeigh played in 78 games and made 15 starts, averaging 5.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game. He emerged as the team’s sixth man during his sophomore season, though a reduction in playing time during his junior year led to his decision to leave the program in 2018. He went undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft.
Jack McVeigh Career
Early Career (2014–2018)
McVeigh’s early career was split between Australia’s development pathways and his college stint in the United States. After completing high school at Lake Ginninderra, he spent two seasons with the BA Centre of Excellence in the South East Australian Basketball League. He then moved to the United States to play for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, where he spent three seasons developing his game.
Upon leaving Nebraska, McVeigh returned to Australia and played for the Gold Coast Rollers in the 2018 Queensland Basketball League season. His strong play at the state level earned him a three-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers of the NBL, marking the start of his top-flight professional career.
Adelaide 36ers Era (2018–2021)
McVeigh joined the Adelaide 36ers in 2018 on a three-year contract. During his first season with the 36ers, he averaged 3.4 points and 1.8 rebounds per game, gradually adapting to the pace and physicality of the NBL. He also represented the North Adelaide Rockets in the 2019 Premier League season to gain additional experience.
By his second season, McVeigh’s production increased to 6.0 points per game. In his third and final season with the 36ers, he averaged 9.4 points per game, establishing himself as a reliable scoring option. He also rejoined the North Adelaide Rockets, now competing in the NBL1 Central, and helped the club win the 2021 NBL1 Central championship, also earning the NBL1 Central scoring title that year.
Tasmania JackJumpers Era (2021–2024)
McVeigh joined the inaugural squad of the Tasmania JackJumpers ahead of the club’s first NBL season in 2021–22. He quickly became a central figure for the expansion team, helping the JackJumpers reach the 2022 NBL Grand Final series, where they fell 3–0 to the Sydney Kings. He continued to develop his game and was a key contributor across multiple seasons.
In the 2023–24 NBL season, McVeigh played a leading role in the JackJumpers’ playoff run. He scored a career-high 27 points in game three of a 2–1 semi-final victory over the Perth Wildcats, then helped Tasmania defeat Melbourne United 3–2 in the Championship Series to claim the NBL title. McVeigh was named NBL Championship Series MVP and JackJumpers Club MVP after averaging 17.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. On 12 April 2024, he extended his contract with the JackJumpers through the end of the 2026–27 season.
Houston Rockets Era (2024–2025)
On 25 July 2024, McVeigh signed a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League. He made his NBA debut on 6 November 2024 against the San Antonio Spurs and scored his first points with a three-pointer against the Oklahoma City Thunder two days later. He became the first NBA player to wear jersey number 58, a number representing the sum of the four jersey numbers he wore in his collegiate, NBL, and international careers.
McVeigh appeared in nine NBA games during the 2024–25 season and spent the majority of the year with the Vipers, where he averaged 15.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 37 G League appearances. He scored a career-high 29 points in the Vipers’ 130–118 win over the Oklahoma City Blue on 9 January 2025. After his Rockets stint, he joined the Atlanta Hawks for the 2025 NBA Summer League. On 3 August 2025, the JackJumpers released him from the remainder of his contract.
Cairns Taipans Era (2025–Present)
On 5 August 2025, McVeigh signed a two-year deal with the Cairns Taipans of the NBL, with the second year being a mutual option. He was sidelined with a wrist injury on 16 October 2025, but returned strongly to form. On 16 November 2025, he scored a career-high 39 points in a 105–101 overtime loss to the Adelaide 36ers, then followed it with 35 points six days later in a 102–96 loss to the New Zealand Breakers.
McVeigh continued his scoring surge, setting a new career high of 47 points in a 99–95 win over the Breakers on 19 December 2025. He added 34 points with eight 3-pointers on 22 January 2026 in a 106–69 loss to the Perth Wildcats, and scored 40 points in a 96–93 overtime win over the Tasmania JackJumpers on 30 January 2026, playing all 45 minutes. He was named to the All-NBL Second Team. On 12 February 2026, McVeigh and the Taipans agreed to the mutual option for 2026–27.
Driving Style and Strengths
McVeigh is a versatile power forward known for his perimeter shooting, off-ball movement, and rebounding. His size and skill set allow him to stretch the floor from beyond the arc while still being physical inside. His consistency in mid-range and three-point shooting, combined with his rebounding and defensive effort, make him a complete modern forward.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among McVeigh’s signature moments is his 2024 NBL Championship Series MVP performance, including a 27-point semi-final game against Perth and a 3–2 series win over Melbourne United. He also became the first NBA player to wear jersey number 58, and set multiple career highs during the 2025–26 NBL season, including a 47-point performance against the New Zealand Breakers.
Jack McVeigh Career Wins
Jack Edward McVeigh has compiled a strong resume of team and individual achievements across Australian basketball. His most celebrated accomplishment is leading the Tasmania JackJumpers to the 2024 NBL championship, where he was named Championship Series MVP.
NBL Highlights
McVeigh won the 2024 NBL championship with the Tasmania JackJumpers and was named the NBL Championship Series Most Valuable Player. He was also selected to the All-NBL Second Team in 2024 and again in 2026. With the Adelaide 36ers, he steadily improved his scoring averages across three seasons, finishing with 9.4 points per game in 2020–21.
He made his NBL playoff breakthrough with the JackJumpers during the 2021–22 season, helping the expansion team reach the Grand Final series. He continued to elevate his game, culminating in his 2024 championship run and his explosive scoring form with the Cairns Taipans in 2025–26.
Other Wins & Performances
McVeigh helped the North Adelaide Rockets win the 2021 NBL1 Central championship and was named the NBL1 Central scoring champion that same year. He also played for the North Gold Coast Seahawks, the Gold Coast Rollers, and USC Heidelberg of the Basketball Bundesliga during his development, and competed for the Boomers at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Jack McVeigh Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
McVeigh grew up in Cabarita Beach, New South Wales, before moving to the Gold Coast for school. His younger brother, Lloyd McVeigh, plays college basketball for the Buffalo Bulls, continuing the family’s involvement in the sport.
Personal Life
McVeigh married his partner, Beth, in June 2024. He missed his honeymoon to attend the Australian Boomers selection camp ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The couple’s first child, a son, was born in December 2025.
2025 Season Performance
McVeigh’s 2025 calendar was defined by transitions and standout scoring performances. He completed his NBA stint with the Houston Rockets and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, then signed with the Cairns Taipans in August 2025. Despite a wrist injury in October, he quickly returned to peak form and delivered some of the most prolific scoring games of his career.
Across November 2025 to January 2026, McVeigh posted multiple 30-, 40-, and 47-point games, including career highs of 47 points against the New Zealand Breakers and 40 points against his former team, the Tasmania JackJumpers. He earned All-NBL Second Team honors for the second time, reinforcing his status as one of the league’s premier scorers.
Looking ahead, McVeigh is under contract with the Taipans through the 2026–27 NBL season and has also signed with the Capitanes de Arecibo of the BSN for the 2026 season. He remains a candidate for the Australian Boomers, with selection windows for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers on the horizon.
