The case for Kody: Will Stattmann get an opportunity?

Taipans now look to the run home playing purely for pride, with the remainder of the season offering more of an opportunity for two versatile prodigies.

Pictured: Cairns basketballer Kody Stattmann. Picture: Brendan Radke

After their defeat to the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Tuesday night, the Cairns Taipans have officially been eliminated from playoff contention.

The bottom-placed side now look to the run home playing purely for pride, with the remainder of the season offering more of an opportunity for two versatile prodigies.

Two young talents signed to two-year contracts, Kody Stattmann (Elevated from development player contract in NBL25 to the full roster in NBL26) and Alex Higgins-Titsha (second year club option), should be poised to see more court time in the coming games.

Kody Stattmann of the Taipans in action during the 2024 NBL Blitz match between Brisbane Bullets and Cairns Taipans at Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre on September 14, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/Getty Images)

Stattmann, who rose through the ranks at Cairns basketball, has had limited playing time this season, appearing in just one game playing 22 minutes (10 points and two rebounds) in the blowout 63-106 loss to Melbourne United in round six

He has found zero minutes on the court since October, despite the Taipans early season injury crisis and 15-game losing streak.

Taipans coach Adam Forde said both Stattmann and Higgins-Titsha will have to earn their minutes on the court following the loss to Phoenix.

The 24-year-old standing at 202cm (6ft 8in), possesses excellent size, length and an effective shooting stroke.

After a remarkable off-season with the Cairns Marlins – where he averaged 27.5 points (third highest in the league) on 46 per cent FG, six rebounds and 2.2 assists – the guard-forward was looking to make his mark on NBL25 after stints with the Phoenix (16 games in NBL24) and the Bullets (19 games in NBL23).

Kody Stattmann of the Phoenix drives to the basket during the round 15 NBL match between Perth Wildcats and South East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena, on January 13, 2024, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

With Taipans Jackson Makoi stood down indefinitely by the club – following an arrest over an alleged domestic violence matter.

The Taipans are a guard down, while import trio Rob Edwards, Pedro Bradshaw and Tanner Groves are contracted on one-year deals.

Taran Armstrong (signed in 2023 to two years), Sam Waardenburg (re-signed in 2024 to one-year), Jonah Antonio and Akoldah Gak (signed in 2023 to two years) are also currently uncontracted for NBL26.

Alex Higgins-Titsha of the Taipans warms up prior to the round 15 NBL match between Illawarra Hawks and Cairns Taipans at WIN Entertainment Centre, on January 03, 2025, in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

Explosive forward Higgins-Titsha has had more opportunities in his breakout NBL season playing in 11 games and making three starts.

He racked up a season-high 14 points in the streak-breaking victory over the Hawks, but registered a season-low 4.31 minutes against the Phoenix in their last fixture.

A diamond in the rough of NBL1 uncovered by Forde in the off-season, he’ll be a player that will benefit from further opportunities as the Snakes play for pride in their remaining seven games.

Taipans will take on Queensland rivals Brisbane Bullets on Friday night at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Originally published as The case for Kody: Will Stattmann get an opportunity?