How much returning home means to Megan McKay

Megan McKay is one of the standout players in state basketball history, and will now return home to try to replicate that outstanding resume. 

Having played for the Bendigo Braves from 2022 to 2024, the superstar forward led the club to a 2022 Grand Final (loss to Ringwood), a 2023 championship, the 2023 National Championship, a 33-0 record from 2023 into the middle of the 2024 season and to the 2024 National Championship Game (loss to Waverley). 

Individually, McKay was named the NBL1 South MVP in 2023, made two National Finals All-Star Fives and was the National Finals tournament MVP in 2023. 

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McKay has returned home to Western Australia and will now suit up for her junior club, the Perry Lakes Hawks, for the rest of the 2025 season. 

After growing up in the small country town of Katanning in Western Australia, basketball wasn’t the easiest thing to get into, driving over two hours each way to Bunbury to play organised basketball with the South West Slammers. A teenage McKay eventually moved into the metro Perth area and attended boarding school. During her time in Perth, she played for the Hawks as a junior, and it helped form her love of the game. 

“It's so good being back home. I really enjoyed my time in Bendigo, but coming home and seeing family and friends is very different and surreal,” the Hawks' 50-year team member said. 

“Perry Lakes has been my pod (close-knit community) for over 10 years now, so it's been great being back with them. I just love the community that's attached to them. There are a lot of people who are life members that I'm looking forward to seeing.

“Playing with girls now that I probably used to help coach back in the day, it’s just that history and the longevity of the club that I love. I'm looking forward to being back with a lot of old friends and playing in front of friends and family.” 

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Looking back on her journey with the Braves, the connections she made along the way are what stand out most. Starting with Kelly Wilson, a true legend of the game and McKay’s point guard through multiple NBL1 and WNBL campaigns. Their bond on and off the court resulted in countless successful pick-and-rolls and memories.

Supplied: Megan McKay embracing Kelly Wilson 

As a club, the Braves left their 2023 Grand Finals celebrations early to attend their Youth League team’s Grand Final. The younger Braves went on to win their championship that day as well, with both teams celebrating together as a group. 

“That level of club spirit is just incredible at the Braves,” she said. 

“I know Perry Lakes has that kind of culture already, so I am hoping I can rediscover it at home and enhance it together.”

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Having experienced the highs and lows of professional basketball, McKay explained how much she appreciates state-level basketball and how beneficial being an NBL1 athlete is to her work-life balance. 

“I love the flexibility of it, I am extremely lucky that Elders, the company that I work for, has been with me across the country for the past five years,” she said. 

“Chopping and changing my roles and hours, their flexibility has been next to impeccable. I enjoy playing state league, where the commitment is not as demanding, but there’s still that camaraderie as a team and competitiveness too, which all athletes desire.” 

One recent activity McKay has picked up is rowing, with shoulders and arms that have won multiple championships – the crossover does make sense, but it may take people by surprise. 

McKay explained that Perry Lakes’ team managers’ husbands recruited her for the team, which is currently training for a 13-kilometre race. This commitment to the team will delay her eventual 2025 debut. But without the flexibility of NBL1, McKay wouldn’t be able to experience this and likely wouldn’t have been able to move back home alongside her partner, Struan. 

When she finally makes her debut, McKay will face off against the most talented crop of women’s talent the conference has ever seen. 

Related: The best the West has ever been?

Having dominated in what is largely considered the most talented women’s conference in the country, McKay cannot wait to face off against the likes of Alex Sharp, Marena Whittle and more. 

“I think the West has always been a strong league. I think now, just adding more players to it, it'll even become stronger,” she said. 

“The numbers that these women are putting up are huge. I'm excited to be a part of this league, and I think it'll be really, really good.” 

Stay tuned to see when McKay will make her debut with the Hawks. Perry Lakes’ season continues this weekend against the Eastern Suns on Saturday, live from 6:30pm AWST live via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.