NBL: From legends’ sons to international talent, Cairns Taipans host basketball ‘dog fight’ for final roster spots

A mix of more than 40 current and former NBL, G-League and NBL One professionals from Australia and abroad have descended on the Far North for a first-ever open trial with the Cairns Taipans. Discover who starred here.

Pictured: Casey Cavaliers forward Dillon Stith at the Taipans "open gym" day at Cairns Basketball. Contributed by Taipans Media.

A mix of over 40 current and former NBL, G-League and NBL One professionals including big names from around the country, New Zealand and the United States have descended to the Far North for a first-ever open trial.

The Taipans dangled the diamond opportunity for an NBL spot on their roster ahead of the upcoming season to high-quality players and competitors with renowned surnames, resulting in a eight-hour dogfight on the hardwood at Cairns Basketball headquarters on Tuesday.

Pictured: Brooklyn Bruton (NBL legend ‘the black pearl’ Cal Bruton’s son) at the Taipans "open gym" day at Cairns Basketball. Contributed by Taipans Media.

Big names present included NBL legend ‘the black pearl’ Cal Bruton’s son, Brooklyn Bruton, Kobe McDowell-White (brother of Boomers guard William McDowell-White), Micale Mee (the son of former NBA shooting guard and Taipans legend Darnell Mee) plus numerous current and ex-NBL players searching for a fresh start or in some cases, a career lifeline.

Former 36er Keanu Rassmussen, former Phoenix development player Koen Sapwell, twins Chan Nai (Central Coast Crusaders) and Ngor Nai (Ringwood Hawk) also attended.

Taipans coach Adam Forde said the players included those directly targeted by the coaching staff, agents who reached out, and players who contacted the coaching staff independently.

“We were looking for guys desperate for an opportunity,” he said.

“What we thought was going to be maybe 15, 20, became 30, then became 40.

“Moving forward (we will) expand on this maybe over two days to have more courts going without diluting what the result is, which is to find the next diamond in the rough.

“We wanted to create a pressure environment to really challenge and see who rose and who didn’t.”

Throughout the day, competitors were brutally cut down from 40 to 30, before being cut down again from 30 to 14.

You could feel the tension on the hallowed courts with every missed wide open three-pointer and free throw potentially leading to dire consequences.

“After that first cut we saw another level in those drills. We trimmed it back again and everybody took it to (a further) level, but really the whole point was to (see) that last 15 minutes and who was still going after (eight) hours of basketball.

“You can’t hide that type of character. You’re either about it or you’re not.

“There was some surprises by guys that put themselves in a position that they weren’t necessarily in eight hours ago.”

Taran Armstrong of the Taipans in action during the round 18 NBL match between Cairns Taipans and Tasmania Jackjumpers at Cairns Convention Centre, on February 01, 2024, in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

The future of Taipans point guard Taran Armstrong will have a crucial knock on effect on the remaining roster positions.

Currently in United States, should Armstrong be selected to take the leap to the NBA, his side will alter its recruiting focus from an import wing to an import point guard.

However, if Armstrong does suit up for the snakes for NBL25, he will be the starting point guard, forming the spine of the side next to import shooting guard Rob Edwards and centre Tanner Groves.

Pictured: Casey Cavaliers forward Dillon Stith at the Taipans "open gym" day at Cairns Basketball. Contributed by Taipans Media.

32-year old American-Australian Dillon Stith was a defensive juggernaut throughout the day.

The 201cm (6ft 9in) forward was an injury replacement player for two seasons (2019-2021) at Melbourne United and currently plays for the Casey Cavaliers.

Stith obtained Australian Citizenship in 2023 and will not qualify as an import recruit if signed.

“He’s a physically built specimen. He’s amazing, broad shoulders, thick legs, athletic, competitive and strong,” Forde said.

“You can’t coach that, some guys are just naturally gifted with physique.”

Cairns local Kody Stattman at the Taipans "open gym" day at Cairns Basketball. Contributed by Taipans Media.

Cairns local brothers Kody and Ky Stattman both attended.

Ky Stattman didn’t make the final 14, however former Phoenix guard Kody Stattman was outstanding.

“(Kody) competed like his life was on the life and we need guys with that mindset.” Forde said.

Pictured: South Sudanese-Australian college basketball power forward for the VCU Rams Kuany Kuany at the Taipans "open gym" day at Cairns Basketball. Contributed by Taipans Media.

24-year old South Sudanese-Australian Kuany Kuany arrived on Monday from San Francisco to attend the trials.

The college basketball power forward for the VCU Rams pulled up short through injury, but is a one to watch as a high energy, intense competitor.

At 206cm (6ft 9in), his length and athleticism was on full display, dominating during the scrimmages and shooting the lights out before his day was cut short.

Forde singled out Cairns Marlin Tad Dufelmeieras exceptional as well as Inner West Bulls power forward Alexander Higgins-Titsha and Callum Dalton.

Originally published as NBL: From legends’ sons to international talent, Cairns Taipans host basketball ‘dog fight’ for final roster spots