ONE OF the most high-profile players to join the National Basketball League (NBL), JaVale McGee wasted no time in showing just how much of an impact he can have, proving a dominant force for the Illawarra Hawks in their loss to the Tasmania JackJumpers.

The three-time NBA champion was a massive off-season signing from the reigning champions, having competed at the top level for 983 games. The 37-year-old may be in the twilight of his career, but his experience and physical tools were going to be massive weapons for the Hawks as they look to defend their title.

The Hawks hosted the JackJumpers at WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday night as the last two NBL champions came together in a blockbuster clash. Despite a towering performance from Illawarra’s newest import, Tasmania was able to fend off the Hawks to claim a five-point win in enemy territory and move to a record of 3-1 on the season.

Despite the disappointing result, McGee still produced the best debut since the NBL moved to the 40-minute era, and showed that he will be a force to be reckoned with for one of the best teams in the competition.

Illawarra Hawks (86) def. by Tasmania JackJumpers (91)

JaVale McGee – 32 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals, three blocks

McGee was an absolute monster in the paint during his first outing in the NBL, throwing down dunks, rebounding the ball, protecting the paint and running the floor in the most dominant debut in recent memory.

He immediately showed his strengths in the first quarter with a couple of early alley-oop dunks to get the Hawks fans off their feet with his highlight plays. McGee continued to run in the open floor and stretch Tasmania’s frontcourt, with a pair of transition slams igniting WIN Entertainment Centre in an explosive start to the match.

He had 10 points in the first quarter alone, and was combining well with fellow offseason recruit Jaquori McLaughlin as the pair helped the Hawks tie up proceedings at the opening change despite a strong start from Tassie.

McGee continued to be a problem for the opposition in the second period, showing even more of his tools on the offensive end, including mid-range shots, which were rare for the big man at NBA level previously. He also showed the opposition that if they elected to send him to the free throw line, he was capable of knocking down the shots and converting truly.

At the main change, McGee already had 18 points to his name, along with six boards and a pair of blocks, and he could not have started his time in the NBL any stronger, although his team was trailing by four points.

The NBA veteran kept on rolling in the third quarter, nailing another nice jumper from mid-range to have another six points in seemingly no time at all. He was doing a lot of heavy lifting for the Hawks on the offensive end, but the JackJumpers kept their noses in front, and although the Hawks briefly took the lead in the fourth, Tassie regained control to claim the win despite pure dominance from McGee.

Finishing with a remarkable 32 points on 15/20 shooting against one of the NBL’s best defensive big men in Will Magnay was the most emphatic way that McGee could have started his time down under, while also stuffing the stat sheet with 13 boards, three blocks, two steals and two dimes.

Although the Hawks did not take home the chocolates in their first clash of the 2025/26 season, it is evident that McGee will be one of the best players in the competition, and has the potential to take an already strong Illawarra outfit to another level in the coming months.