Mojave King makes mark in double-digit outings for Taipans
Two double-digit returns in as many games has allowed NBL Next Star Mojave King to show what he can do when given an opportunity.
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TWO double-digit returns in as many games has allowed NBL Next Star Mojave King to show what he can do when given an opportunity.
The 18-year-old Taipans guard has thrived in Cairns’ most recent games, and on Wednesday produced arguably his best when he scored an equal season-high 12 points in just over 20 minutes on the court.
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It wasn’t enough to lead the slow-starting Taipans to a come-from-behind victory against New Zealand - Breakers captain Tom Abercrombie made sure of that with a ridiculous buzzer-beater from long range to seal the 76-73 win for his side - but King showed he was adapting in his first professional season.
King said a performance like he produced on Wednesday only helped his confidence, while an emphasis on defence throughout the campaign was started to show.
“Really, my teammates are finding me in good spots, so I’m taking good quality shots – it’s easy to make them,” King said. “Then trying to stay aggressive offensively, get on the rim and get to the line as well.
“Definitely putting more emphasis on it, being a lot more locked in and focused defensively, and talking, listening to my teammates helps out a lot as well.
“Just trying to make sure I’m aware of what’s going on, and making sure I’m seeing everything all the time.”
Taipans coach Mike Kelly was frustrated with his team, who scored just 11 points in their worst first-quarter performance in some return, and is in the midst of an all-too-common search for a way to win ahead of a clash with the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
“Super frustrating that we would let ourselves come out and play like that in the first half,” Kelly said post-game.
“The Breakers did a good job of helping us be indecisive, then we helped them with their defence as well by being super indecisive.
“To see the guys play so well in the second half and be in attack mode on both ends, while it was great, it was such a huge deficit that it was frustrating to know that if we were to start in an assertive manner, we’d have a better shot of winning this game.”
But he was happy with what he saw from King.
“I have such high praise for Mojave,” Kelly said. “He’s stuck with everything, whether he’s played a few minutes or like (Wednesday) when he played 20 minutes. It was hard for me to take him off the floor.
“I love it when a player makes it really tough for me to sub for him.
“He earned all those minutes, and he did it on both ends.
“It wasn’t the frilly stuff or the filler stuff; he was defending, making guys go through his chest, really getting up and going after shots without fouling.
“He did a great job on both ends and was ready to attack on the offensive end as well.
“I know Mojave expects it, and I also have high expectations, and I think it’s going to be something that will come consistently for him the more experience he gets playing at this level.”
Friday’s game tips off at 6.30pm.
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
Originally published as Mojave King makes mark in double-digit outings for Taipans
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