Jake McKinlay

McKinlay's hometown was the Palmerston North suburb of Awapuni.{{cite web|url=https://mineralarea.edu/athletics/mens-basketball/roster/|title=2019-2020 Men's Basketball Roster|work=Mineral Area College|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805165922/https://mineralarea.edu/athletics/mens-basketball/roster/|archive-date=5 August 2020|access-date=21 December 2021}} He started playing basketball in his second year of intermediate after a teacher at Monrad Intermediate School convinced him to play.{{cite web|last=Heagney|first=George|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300483219/loveable-and-dedicated-basketballer-with-huge-potential-remembered|title=Loveable and dedicated basketballer with huge potential remembered|work=Stuff.co.nz|publisher=Manawatū Standard|date=21 December 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221081517/https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300483219/loveable-and-dedicated-basketballer-with-huge-potential-remembered|archive-date=21 December 2021}} He attended Palmerston North Boys' High School,{{cite web|url=https://men.nznbl.basketball/manawatu-jets-2021-team-roster/|title=MANAWATU JETS | 2021|work=NZNBL|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220143654/https://men.nznbl.basketball/manawatu-jets-2021-team-roster/|archive-date=20 December 2021}} where he captained the school's premier basketball squad in 2018 while being named in the New Zealand secondary schools' tournament team.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300227656/manawat-jets-announce-signing-of-highly-decorated-youngster-jake-mckinlay|title=Manawatū Jets announce signing of 'highly decorated' youngster Jake McKinlay|work=Stuff.co.nz|publisher=Manawatū Standard|date=12 February 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220144912/https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300227656/manawat-jets-announce-signing-of-highly-decorated-youngster-jake-mckinlay|archive-date=20 December 2021}}

McKinlay represented Basketball Manawatu at the U17 National Championship in 2017 and the U19 National Championship in 2018 and 2019, earning Tournament team honours all three years. He also played at the 2019 U23 National Championship, where he was named to the All-Star Five.{{cite web|url=https://nz.basketball/bbnz-pays-homage-to-manawatus-jake-mckinlay/|title=BBNZ PAYS HOMAGE TO MANAWATŪ'S JAKE MCKINLAY|work=Basketball New Zealand|date=21 December 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221073500/https://nz.basketball/bbnz-pays-homage-to-manawatus-jake-mckinlay/|archive-date=21 December 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/114937986/manawat-fall-short-at-national-under23-basketball-championships|title=Manawatū fall short at national under-23 basketball championships|work=Stuff.co.nz|publisher=Manawatū Standard|date=13 August 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820061705/https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/114937986/manawat-fall-short-at-national-under23-basketball-championships|archive-date=20 August 2022}}

McKinlay debuted in the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) in the 2018 season with the Manawatu Jets, joining just a handful of players to play in the league while still at high school. He was a regular member of the playing squad and started in a number of games.{{cite web|last=Heagney|first=George|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/105725783/jake-mckinlay-enjoys-step-up-to-the-big-time-with-manawat-jets|title=Jake McKinlay enjoys step up to the big time with Manawatū Jets|work=Stuff.co.nz|publisher=Manawatū Standard|date=25 July 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222133209/https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/105725783/jake-mckinlay-enjoys-step-up-to-the-big-time-with-manawat-jets|archive-date=22 December 2021}} On 25 May 2018, he scored a season-high nine points in a 109–101 loss to the Wellington Saints.{{cite web|url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=206393701&client=0-8336-199743-532987-26514630|title=Player statistics for Jake McKinlay|work=NZNBL|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222134007/https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=206393701&client=0-8336-199743-532987-26514630|archive-date=22 December 2021}} His nine points were tallied with three 3-pointers in the first quarter.{{cite web|last=Hyslop|first=Liam|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/104218679/nelson-giants-wellington-saints-grab-contrasting-nbl-wins|title=Nelson Giants, Wellington Saints grab contrasting NBL wins|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=25 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612170651/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/104218679/nelson-giants-wellington-saints-grab-contrasting-nbl-wins|archive-date=12 June 2018|access-date=22 December 2021|quote=Young Jets guard Jake McKinlay got the Jets started, with the 17-year-old coming off the bench to drain three three-pointers in the first quarter.}} He averaged 2.7 points and 1.0 rebounds in 12 games in his rookie year.

With the Jets in the 2019 New Zealand NBL season, McKinlay totalled eight points in eight games.{{cite web|url=https://nznbl.basketball/stats/results/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F23676%2Fperson%2F1649329%2Fstatistics%3F|title=Jake McKinlay – 2019 Statistics|work=NZNBL|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111083447/https://nznbl.basketball/stats/results/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F23676%2Fperson%2F1649329%2Fstatistics%3F|archive-date=11 January 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://nznbl.basketball/stats/results/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F23676%2Fperson%2F1649329%2Fgamelog%3F|title=Jake McKinlay – 2019 Game Log|work=NZNBL|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111083704/https://nznbl.basketball/stats/results/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F23676%2Fperson%2F1649329%2Fgamelog%3F|archive-date=11 January 2024}} Following the season, he competed in the NBA Academy Games in the United States.{{cite web|url=https://games.nbaacademy.nba.com/federation/18/players/9988|title=Jake McKinlay|work=nbaacademy.nba.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230081331/https://games.nbaacademy.nba.com/federation/18/players/9988|archive-date=30 December 2021}}

In October 2019, McKinlay committed to play college basketball for Mineral Area College in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).{{cite web|url=https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/commitments/jake.mckinlay/basketballmen|title=Jake Mckinlay Announces Commitment to Play Men's Basketball at Mineral Area College|work=FieldLevel|date=5 October 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220150242/https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/commitments/jake.mckinlay/basketballmen|archive-date=20 December 2021}} On 1 January 2020, he scored a season-high 14 points in a 111–70 win over Faith Prep.{{cite web|url=https://www.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2019-20/div1/players/jakemckinlay4lhu?view=gamelog&pos=sh|title=Jake McKinlay Game Log|work=NJCAA|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221101654/https://www.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2019-20/div1/players/jakemckinlay4lhu?view=gamelog&pos=sh|archive-date=21 December 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://dailyjournalonline.com/sports/college/mac/mens-basketball/cardinals-deliver-holiday-thumping/article_432a7f35-5bf6-5ea0-a072-ed3618001135.html|title=Cardinals deliver holiday thumping|work=Daily Journal|date=2 January 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221102852/https://dailyjournalonline.com/sports/college/mac/mens-basketball/cardinals-deliver-holiday-thumping/article_432a7f35-5bf6-5ea0-a072-ed3618001135.html|archive-date=21 December 2021}} In 26 games in the 2019–20 season, he averaged 3.5 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.{{cite web|url=https://www.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2019-20/div1/players/jakemckinlay4lhu|title=Jake McKinlay Player Profile|work=NJCAA|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221101358/https://www.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2019-20/div1/players/jakemckinlay4lhu|archive-date=21 December 2021}}

McKinlay returned to New Zealand in 2020 but did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|last=Heagney|first=George|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300314887/jets-forward-mckinlay-proves-his-worth-in-stellar-performance-against-airs|title=Jets forward McKinlay proves his worth in stellar performance against Airs|work=Stuff.co.nz|publisher=Manawatū Standard|date=24 May 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220150703/https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300314887/jets-forward-mckinlay-proves-his-worth-in-stellar-performance-against-airs|archive-date=20 December 2021}}

In February 2021, McKinlay signed with the Manawatu Jets for the 2021 New Zealand NBL season.{{cite web|url=https://www.thejets.co.nz/player-announcements/2021/2/11/jake-mckinlay|title=Jake McKinlay|work=Manawatu Jets|date=11 February 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220151055/https://www.thejets.co.nz/player-announcements/2021/2/11/jake-mckinlay|archive-date=20 December 2021}} He was brought in to play both forward positions and during the season he was touted as a "defensive lynchpin".{{cite web|url=https://men.nznbl.basketball/huge-third-quarter-sees-saints-knock-off-jets/|title=HUGE THIRD QUARTER SEES SAINTS KNOCK OFF JETS|work=NZNBL|date=13 June 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221080732/https://men.nznbl.basketball/huge-third-quarter-sees-saints-knock-off-jets/|archive-date=21 December 2021}} On 23 May 2021, he had a career-best game with 15 points, seven rebounds and seven steals in an 85–77 win over the Taranaki Mountainairs.{{cite web|url=https://men.nznbl.basketball/jets-find-a-young-gun-as-they-down-the-airs-for-the-win/|title=JETS FIND A YOUNG GUN AS THEY DOWN THE AIRS FOR THE WIN|work=NZNBL|date=23 May 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220154425/https://men.nznbl.basketball/jets-find-a-young-gun-as-they-down-the-airs-for-the-win/|archive-date=20 December 2021}} On 13 June, he was carried off the court with a serious knee injury late in the first quarter against the Wellington Saints.{{cite web|last=Heagney|first=George|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300332630/injury-to-young-gun-heaps-more-misery-on-manawat-jets|title=Injury to young gun heaps more misery on Manawatū Jets|work=Stuff.co.nz|publisher=Manawatū Standard|date=14 June 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221081130/https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300332630/injury-to-young-gun-heaps-more-misery-on-manawat-jets|archive-date=21 December 2021}} He was diagnosed with a dislocated knee and missed the rest of the season. In 11 games, he averaged 6.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game.{{cite web|url=https://nznbl.basketball/stats/results/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F29103%2Fperson%2F1649329%2Fstatistics|title=Jake McKinlay – 2021 Statistics|work=NZNBL|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111084254/https://nznbl.basketball/stats/results/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F29103%2Fperson%2F1649329%2Fstatistics%3F|archive-date=11 January 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://nznbl.basketball/stats/results/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F29103%2Fperson%2F1649329%2Fgamelog%3F|title=Jake McKinlay – 2021 Game Log|work=NZNBL|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111084445/https://nznbl.basketball/stats/results/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2F29103%2Fperson%2F1649329%2Fgamelog%3F|archive-date=11 January 2024}}

By December 2021, McKinlay had recovered from the injury and had signed with the Wellington Saints for the 2022 season. He was also set to play in the NBL 3x3 Cup in February 2022.{{cite web|url=https://men.nznbl.basketball/3x3-teams-decided-who-did-your-captain-draft/|title=3X3 TEAMS DECIDED – WHO DID YOUR CAPTAIN DRAFT?|work=NZNBL|date=2 September 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101153158/https://men.nznbl.basketball/3x3-teams-decided-who-did-your-captain-draft/|archive-date=1 January 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://play.fiba3x3.com/players/ab20d5ce-ae39-4269-979c-f2e03e690dbc/activity|title=Jake McKinlay|work=fiba3x3.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101154038/https://play.fiba3x3.com/players/ab20d5ce-ae39-4269-979c-f2e03e690dbc/activity|archive-date=1 January 2022}}

In April 2018, McKinlay represented New Zealand at the FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship in China. The Junior Tall Blacks won the bronze medal with a 76–60 win over Philippines in the third place game,{{cite web|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/en/news/asia-u16-2017-news-australia-claim-the-fiba-u16-asian-championship|title=Australia claim the FIBA U16 Asian Championship|work=FIBA|date=8 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202051727/https://www.fiba.basketball/en/news/asia-u16-2017-news-australia-claim-the-fiba-u16-asian-championship|archive-date=2 February 2025}} becoming the first Junior Tall Blacks team to qualify for the FIBA Under-17 World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/asia/u16/2017/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-fiba-u16-asia-championship|title=Everything you need to know about the FIBA U16 Asia Championship|work=FIBA|date=1 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404015754/https://www.fiba.basketball/asia/u16/2017/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-fiba-u16-asia-championship|archive-date=4 April 2018|access-date=30 December 2021|quote=The Junior Tall Blacks have never qualified to the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup...}} McKinlay averaged 8.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in six games.{{cite web|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/asia/u16/2017/player/Jake-McKinlay|title=Jake McKinlay – 2018 FIBA U16 ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2017|work=FIBA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220152311/https://www.fiba.basketball/asia/u16/2017/player/Jake-McKinlay|archive-date=20 December 2021}} At the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup in Argentina a few months later, he averaged 4.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists in seven games.{{cite web|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/world/u17/2018/player/Jake-McKinlay|title=Jake McKinlay – 2018 FIBA U17 BASKETBALL WORLD CUP|work=FIBA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220152622/https://www.fiba.basketball/world/u17/2018/player/Jake-McKinlay|archive-date=20 December 2021}}

McKinlay's immediate family consisted of his mother, Gayna, who was a solo parent.{{cite web|last=Leask|first=Anna|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/mum-loses-absolute-world-after-sonshine-manawatu-jets-star-jake-mckinlay-dies-in-horowhenua-crash/VQ6SX5QXSX6GPILVOLE4RDMGZQ/|title=Mum loses 'absolute world' after 'SonShine' Manawatū Jets star Jake McKinlay dies in Horowhenua crash|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=22 December 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222093206/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/mum-loses-absolute-world-after-sonshine-manawatu-jets-star-jake-mckinlay-dies-in-horowhenua-crash/VQ6SX5QXSX6GPILVOLE4RDMGZQ/|archive-date=22 December 2021}}

Away from basketball, McKinlay had done some work as a teacher aide and during the 2021 off-season he had been working at Acrow Scaffolding in Palmerston North.

McKinlay died on 20 December 2021, shortly before 6:00 a.m., following a serious crash involving his car and a truck on State Highway 1 in the Horowhenua District north of Ōtaki.{{cite web|last=Cornish|first=Sophie|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/127340463/manawat-jets-basketball-player-dies-in-car-crash|title=Manawatū Jets basketball player dies in car crash|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=20 December 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220153247/https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/127340463/manawat-jets-basketball-player-dies-in-car-crash|archive-date=20 December 2021}}{{cite web|last=Hickman|first=Bill|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/300478284/one-person-dies-after-crash-on-sh1-north-of-taki|title=One person dies after crash on SH1 north of Ōtaki|work=Stuff.co.nz|publisher=The Dominion Post|date=20 December 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220153708/https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/300478284/one-person-dies-after-crash-on-sh1-north-of-taki|archive-date=20 December 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/manawatu-jets-star-jake-mckinlay-dies-in-horowhenua-crash-involving-a-car-and-truck/C6Y2ITRDMCJRMNKTL67VY2E3IU/|title=Manawatū Jets star Jake McKinlay dies in Horowhenua crash involving a car and truck|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=20 December 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220144034/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/manawatu-jets-star-jake-mckinlay-dies-in-horowhenua-crash-involving-a-car-and-truck/C6Y2ITRDMCJRMNKTL67VY2E3IU/|archive-date=20 December 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300483219/basketball-coaches-pay-tribute-to-talent-and-dedication-of-player-killed-in-car-crash|title=Basketball coaches pay tribute to talent and dedication of player killed in car crash|work=Stuff.co.nz|publisher=Manawatū Standard|date=21 December 2021|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221023812/https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/300483219/basketball-coaches-pay-tribute-to-talent-and-dedication-of-player-killed-in-car-crash|archive-date=21 December 2021}} He had been playing basketball in Wellington the previous day and was coming back to Palmerston North for work.

In July 2022, the Manawatu Jets retired McKinlay's No. 12 jersey.{{cite web|url=https://men.nznbl.basketball/game-recap-saints-roll-past-jets-to-move-to-8-8/|title=GAME RECAP: SAINTS ROLL PAST JETS TO MOVE TO 8-8|work=NZNBL|date=23 July 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723073639/https://men.nznbl.basketball/game-recap-saints-roll-past-jets-to-move-to-8-8/|archive-date=23 July 2022|access-date=23 July 2022}}{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Peter|url=https://central.rookieme.com/basketball/saints-roll-on-with-39-point-jets-domination/|title=Saints roll on with 39-point Jets domination|work=central.rookieme.com|date=24 July 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820060611/https://central.rookieme.com/basketball/saints-roll-on-with-39-point-jets-domination/|archive-date=20 August 2022|access-date=20 August 2022}}

{{reflist}}

• {{FIBA}}
• {{FIBA 3x3}}
• [https://www.njcaa.org/sports/mbkb/2019-20/div1/players/jakemckinlay4lhu NJCAA profile]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20211230081331/https://games.nbaacademy.nba.com/federation/18/players/9988 NBA Academy Games profile]
• {{youtube|effh8AvNYlw|Remembering Jake McKinlay}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McKinlay, Jake}}

Category:2001 births

Category:2021 deaths

Category:Manawatu Jets players

Category:Mineral Area College alumni

Category:New Zealand expatriate basketball people in the United States

Category:New Zealand men's basketball players

Category:People educated at Palmerston North Boys' High School

Category:Power forwards

Category:Small forwards

Category:Sportspeople from Palmerston North