Cairns Taipans get ready for imposing New Zealand Breaker Majok Majok
AFTER winning an NBL title with Melbourne United, imposing big man Majok Majok had a decision to make on his future. The centre explains why he decided on New Zealand instead of the Cairns Taipans.
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IMPOSING big man Majok Majok could well have been a Taipan.
IMPOSING big man Majok Majok could well have been a Taipan.
Now, settled as a New Zealand Breaker after deciding to move his career across the ditch, the Melbourne United championship centre is looking forward to taking on an old mentor and combatant tonight.
As it does at times during the off-season, the basketball rumour mill had Majok signed, sealed and delivered to Cairns at one point earlier this year.
New Taipans boss Mike Kelly clarified the club’s pursuit of the West Australian earlier this week, declaring there was initial interest but when the Breakers entered the picture, Majok, who was playing in the NZ NBL at the time, was always likely to end up with the Kiwi’s.
Being coached by Kevin Braswell at the Wellington Saints and now the Breakers played a big part in the South Sudan product’s decision.
“One of the things I was looking at was the coaches and in New Zealand and Cairns, I had good relationships with both coaches,” Majok said.
“It ended up being the best situation for myself in New Zealand and that was what I ended up going with.
“Mike and I had a good relationship and it will be good to go against him.”
Kelly and Majok both joined the rebranded United in 2015 and developed a close-knit bond, culminating in last season’s title, before they both moved on from Victoria.
“I love Majok, he plays really hard,” Kelly said.
“We got pretty close, he is a great guy and I see him as a guy that will continue to develop his game.
“He is always a problem, because he rebounds the ball so well and if you lose sight of him in the key, then it is a dunk for him. It will be fun to go against him.
“Majok was a guy that was high up on our list but he got snapped up pretty quickly by New Zealand.”
The 25-year-old Majok is one of only a few in the NBL who can compare physically to Bamaga big man Nate Jawai and it is a match-up he always looks forward to every season.
“I always like to play against Nate — he is a tough, physical guy,” Majok said.
“I like playing against guys like that and it makes it so much more competitive.
“It will be a battle, again.”
Taipans pair DJ Newbill and Rob Loe will play against their former club for the first time tonight while Jarrad Weeks is doing the same for the opposite team.
Cairns have lost their past four games, which is their longest in-season streak since February 2014.
They have not lost five in a row since November 2013, when they lost seven in a row.
Cairns’ 1-4 record is their worst from first five games of a season since 2001.
Cairns starters:
Nate Jawai, Alex Loughton, Devon Hall, DJ Newbill and Melo Trimble
Breakers starters:
Corey Webster, Tom Abercrombie, Tai Wesley, Shea Ili and Shawn Long
Ladbrokes:
Cairns $2.80; Breakers $1.44
TOMORROW
8.50pm: Perth v Brisbane
SATURDAY
1.50pm: Adelaide v Sydney
SUNDAY
1.50pm: Melbourne v Cairns
4:20pm: Illawarra v Perth
6:50pm: Brisbane v NZ
Originally published as Cairns Taipans get ready for imposing New Zealand Breaker Majok Majok
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