Million Dollar McVeigh: Taipans sign '24 championship hero

• Jack McVeigh has signed a two-year deal as a marquee with the Cairns Taipans
• He was the 2024 NBL Grand Final MVP after leading Tasmania to the championship
• McVeigh spent last season on a two-way deal with the Houston Rockets

Australian Boomer and 2024 NBL championship hero Jack McVeigh has signed a two-year marquee deal with the Cairns Taipans in one of the biggest signing in the NBL club's history.

The deal, at $2 million over two seasons, as per McVeigh's agency Mogul Sports Group, will see the Queenslander sit at the top end of NBL player salaries alongside Bryce Cotton, Xavier Cooks, and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr., as the only players making seven figures, reports ESPN's Olgun Uluc.

McVeigh, who spent last season on a two-way contract with the Houston Rockets — spending most of his time with G-League affiliate the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, recently received a release from the final year of his contract from the Tasmania JackJumpers, allowing him to join another NBL club.

The 29-year-old forward was believed to be choosing between the Taipans and defending champions, the Illawarra Hawks, for his return to Australia but basketball.com.au understands a deal was already in place with Cairns before the announcement was made from Tasmania earlier this week.

McVeigh's two-year deal, where the second year is a mutual option, is subject to NBL approval and would make him the club's second ever marquee player behind Nathan Jawai.

In a release from the club, Taipans head coach Adam Forde said McVeigh’s consistency and character made him the perfect fit for Cairns.

“I know that the club were aiming for a marquee-type signing throughout the off-season and knowing that it was a real possibility changed everything about the type of roster we could build," he said.

"I couldn’t be happier that it’s Jack — I think if you could pick the characteristics of an ideal marquee — he ticks them all. From his character to his work ethic, Jack has shown consistency throughout his entire career. His impact in the NBL and on the world stage in the NBA and Olympics is undeniable, and we look forward to him bringing that same energy to Cairns.

“I’ve always admired Jack from afar and seen his growth in the league. He has made remarkable strides throughout his career to better himself as a player and a person.

“But the best thing about Jack is that he is so willing to share his journey with other players, to help them in their careers too. He does this with no agenda other than to help, and that says a lot about his character, his family, and the circle of people he has around him.”

McVeigh joined the JackJumpers for their inaugural season in 2021-22 and spent three seasons in Tasmania, helping lead Scott Roth's team to a memorable run to the 2024 NBL championship, where he was named Grand Final MVP after a dominant series, which included hitting a buzzer-beating game-winner from just short of half court in game three.

He then went on to carry that form into an Australian Boomers camp, where he shocked many fans and experts by making the roster for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, becoming a key part of Brian Goorjian's rotation.

McVeigh adds to a Cairns roster, which already features talented big Sam Waardenburg and sharpshooter Reyne Smith, who is reported to have also signed a two-year deal with the Taipans.