Last Updated on July 24, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Will Magnay is an athletic center known for protecting the rim, finishing around the basket, and bringing energy on the defensive end. When healthy, his combination of size and mobility has made him an impactful presence and an important contributor for both club and national teams.

Player Profile

Personal Information:

  • Full Name: Will Scott Magnay
  • Nationality: Australian
  • Age: Born June 10, 1998
  • Hometown: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  • Height: 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm)
  • Weight: 245 pounds (111 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 11 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
  • Jersey Number: 22
  • Position: Center / Power Forward

Educational and Athletic Background:

  • High School: Nudgee College, Brisbane, Queensland
  • College: University of Tulsa (2016–2017)

Professional Career:

  • NBA Draft: Undrafted in 2018
  • Teams Played For:
    • BA Centre of Excellence (2016)
    • Brisbane Bullets (2017–2020)
    • Southern Districts Spartans (2018)
    • Brisbane Capitals (2019)
    • New Orleans Pelicans (2020–2021)
    • Erie BayHawks (2021)
    • Perth Wildcats (2021)
    • Tasmania JackJumpers (2021–present)
    • Obradoiro CAB (2023)
    • Gold Coast Rollers (2024)
  • Championship Rings: NBL Champion with the Tasmania JackJumpers (2024)

Personal Life:

  • Children: Information not publicly available
  • Siblings: Information not publicly available

Player Archetype / Play Style

Will Magnay’s player archetype is that of a modern rim-running defensive center, a mobile big man whose greatest value comes from protecting the paint, finishing efficiently and changing the tone of a game with his presence around the basket. Defensively, he operates as a back-line anchor, using his size, reach, timing and vertical pop to block shots, contest drives, clean the glass and make life difficult for anyone trying to score inside. Offensively, Magnay fits best as a screen-and-roll finisher who thrives on lobs, dump-offs, put-backs and quick interior touches, while also bringing enough passing feel to keep the ball moving when defenses collapse. Physically, he is a strong, explosive center with good length and above-average mobility for his size, which helps him cover ground, play above the rim and recover into contests. Altogether, his play style is built on energy, interior force and defensive impact, making him the kind of big who can anchor a scheme at one end and give a team efficient, low-maintenance offense at the other.

Scouting Report

Will Magnay changes games without needing the ball for long stretches. What stands out is how much ground he covers around the rim. He isn’t just blocking shots; he forces ball handlers to rethink drives before they even leave their feet because he closes space quickly and stays balanced long enough to contest without constantly chasing highlights. In pick-and-roll coverage he looks comfortable sitting in a drop, waiting for the guard to commit before using his length to take away the lob and the finish at the same time. That’s where his timing separates him. Offensively, Magnay keeps things uncomplicated. He sets solid screens, dives hard to the rim, catches difficult passes in traffic and finishes above the basket when the opportunity is there. He doesn’t demand touches, but he rewards guards who can manipulate defenders and deliver the ball on time. The trade-off is that he offers very little shot creation outside those actions. Teams that force him to make decisions with the ball away from the rim or ask him to attack off the dribble are taking him outside his comfort zone, and his free-throw shooting can reduce his effectiveness late in close games. Defensively, though, he does more than protect the basket. He rotates early as the low man, communicates well enough to organize the back line and recovers quickly after helping, which prevents breakdowns from turning into easy dump-off passes. It’s easy to overlook how often teammates become more aggressive on the perimeter simply because they trust him to clean up mistakes behind them. Against smaller lineups that drag him into repeated switches, his foot speed can be tested, but he generally buys himself time by maintaining good angles instead of overcommitting to the first move. To me, Magnay fits best with guards who consistently pressure the paint and wings who can stretch the floor, allowing him to focus on screening, rolling and anchoring the defense rather than expanding into a larger offensive role. His game shares obvious traits with Jakob Poeltl in the disciplined rim protection and screen-setting, while there are also similarities to Clint Capela in the way he generates value through vertical spacing, interior defense and making life easier for everyone around him without needing high usage.

Fun Facts

  • Magnay began his professional career in Australia before signing a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2020.
  • After a stint in the NBA and its G League affiliate, the Erie BayHawks, he returned to the NBL, playing for the Perth Wildcats and later the Tasmania JackJumpers.
  • In 2024, he achieved an NBL championship with the JackJumpers. Known for his defensive skills, Magnay continues to be a significant presence in Australian basketball.

Sources:

NBL — Will Magnay
Tasmania JackJumpers — Player Profile: Will Magnay
Tasmania JackJumpers — Will Magnay