NBL: Cairns Taipans lock in three for upcoming season
Cairns Taipans have locked in three members of the squad which powered to the NBL semi finals last season ahead of the opening of the free agency period.
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The Taipans have locked in three members of the squad which powered to the NBL semi finals last season.
Mirko Djeric, Fabijan Krslovic and Kouat Noi will all remain in orange when the NBL season tips off in December.
The club took up their options before the start of the free agency period, which starts on July 15.
In a club statement, reigning NBL Coach of the Year Mike Kelly said locking in the young Australian trio was a priority.
“We are really proud of the group we put together last season and there is no doubt that Mirko, Fab and Kouat were all individually, extremely important parts of that,” Kelly said in a club statement.
“They all brought their own unique talents to Cairns and over the course of the season, continued to improve their game while learning to work together.
“We know these guys have really brilliant basketball careers ahead of them, and I’m glad that they will continue their journey with the Taipans.”
Noi entered the NBL promising to win the Rookie of the Year award, and while injury cruelled his campaign he was still a standout of the Snakes.
His injury handed Djeric, who started NBL20 on the bench, the opportunity to start - one he took with two hands as he took his game, and impact, to another level.
Krslovic averaged 2.8 points, 2.4 rebounds in his first full season in the NBL, and there is confidence the Cairns Basketball product will develop into a stronger presence in years to come.
The club also said it hoped to provide an update on developments about their home court in coming days.
A 65-day work delay has all but ruled out the Cairns Convention Centre as a home court for the first half of the season.
In other NBL news, young Boomers player Xavier Cooks has resigned with the Sydney Kings while South East Melbourne’s Tai Wesley has retired.
Brisbane Bullets have indicated they want to bring key import Lamar Patterson back to the Queensland capital this season, but for the right price.
Taipans’ confirmed squad to date: Majok Deng, Mirko Djeric, Mojave King (Next Star), Fabijan Krslovic, Kouat Noi. Coach: Mike Kelly.
Originally published as NBL: Cairns Taipans lock in three for upcoming season