Taran Armstrong reveals why he chose to sign with Cairns Taipans

The Far North’s only national sporting team has confirmed a highly-touted Tasmanian on his way to the tropics for NBL24.

Taran Armstrong is a Cairns Taipan.

The Far North’s only national sporting team has confirmed the highly-touted Tasmanian on his way to the tropics for NBL24.

A 21-year-old point guard out of Bernie, Tasmania, Armstrong was pursued by plenty of suitors across Australia and overseas, but the 198cm pass-first playmaker chose to join the reigning coach of the year Adam Forde as the Snakes chase a return to the post-season.

The move to Cairns, first reported by ESPN but on Wednesday confirmed by the club, was down to working with Forde in an environment which suits his play style - and a natural play style which will fit with the Orange Army.

Taran Armstrong spent the past two years with the California Baptist Lancers. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

“The play style is definitely something I was attracted to right from the jump,” Armstrong said.

“Talking to coach Forde, they play fast, it’s really up and down, they play really upbeat and a really nice exciting brand of basketball which is something I’m super excited to be part of.

“Since I was able to get to know coach Adam Forde, he’s been great, and everyone I’ve spoken to had nothing but great things to say about him.

“It was a pretty easy decision.”

Australian coaches have kept a close eye on Armstrong’s progress over the years, and earlier this year the Burnie product was touted as one of several targets on the JackJumpers’ radar.

And while Tasmania was able to lure Armstrong’s brother Tre back home, Forde swooped to land the promising talent after two years at California Baptist University.

Forde couldn’t be more excited to have him on board.

Taipans coach Adam Forde has revealed half of his roster for NBL24. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

“It’s exciting that Taran has committed to Cairns – it speaks volumes of our program,” Forde said.

“We made some aggressive moves this off-season just on the rumour that he might be interested in going pro, and so I’m obviously thrilled to see it pay off.

“There aren’t too many 21-year-old, 6’5” Australian point guards with his credentials floating around in free agency.

“He has such a level of polish and maturity to his game that is beyond his years.

“You don’t warrant the type of NBA attention he does, without having an enormous ceiling.

“He’s from a basketball family and has a great family support network around him.

“Taran’s background at the Centre of Excellence, NBA Global Academy, representing Australia and D1 college makes him very ready for an immediate impact in the NBL.”

Taran Armstrong claimed the first WAC Freshman of the Year honour in the California Baptist Lancers’ D1 history. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

Armstrong, who in 2022 earned CBU’s first WAC Freshman of the Year honour in the program’s history, is the latest piece of the NBL24 roster puzzle to be locked in as the club eyes a return to the semi finals - and beyond.

He joins Tahjere McCall, Sam Waardenburg, Jonah Antonio, Lat Mayen, Akoldah Gak, and Sam Mennenga as confirmed Taipans.

The Taipans finished third on the NBL23 ladder but fell to the Kings in the semi-final series.

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Originally published as Taran Armstrong reveals why he chose to sign with Cairns Taipans