Bamba is the bomb
He may just be a freshman but big things are projected for Mohamed Bamba, who will be banging under the basket against Taipans Alex Loughton, and Michael Carrera at the Fish Tank on Friday night. Bamba will suit up for US college side the Texas Longhorns and no less a judge than Taipans coach Aaron Fearne predicts a big future for the power forward. “If you want to see a legitimate NBA talent, come out and watch on Friday,” he said.
THE next Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons or maybe Anthony Davis will be right here in your backyard this Friday night.
The Cairns Taipans will complete their three-game college series against powerhouse Americans, the Texas Longhorns, at the Fish Tank and they may just have the next big thing in their line-up.
He is just a Freshman but huge things – well, massive, because he is 211cm tall – are projected for Mohamed Bamba, who will be battling under the basket against Taipans Alex Loughton, Tevin Jackson and Michael Carrera.
Bamba and his Longhorns beat the Dandenong Rangers on Tuesday night, before a meeting with NBL club Melbourne United last night and Taipans coach Aaron Fearne implored the basketball public to take their chance to see the developing youngster.
“He will be a top-five pick in the draft next year and potentially could be the number one pick,” Fearne said.
“If you want to see a legitimate NBA talent, come out and watch on Friday.
“Texas will be very aggressive up the floor defensively, they will play offensively similar to Oklahoma on Sunday.
“We need to keep moving forward and improving but these games give guys an opportunity to play.”
The Snakes levelled their pre-season college series on Tuesday night, knocking over American University 89-70, with Marlins forward Jackson landing 12 points and import big man Nnanna Egwu pushing a triple-double with 10, seven and six.
New imports Michael Carrera and Scoochie Smith stepped out for the Snakes for the first time with both playing about 20 minutes on debut in the Far North.
Point guard Smith took a while to get going but pushed the ball more in the second half and looked livelier as the game progressed, while Carrera was aggressive at the rim from the outset.
American University point guard Sa’eed Nelson lit the Taipans up for 25 points and was the best on the floor.
His coach, Mike Brennan, praised the Snakes.
“They are a good team, we are a very young team and the Taipans are a mature, older team,” Brennan said. “We competed.” The Taipans will practice today and will not have dual Taipans and Marlins Damon Heuir and Stephen Weigh for the Friday night game, as they rest ahead of the QBL final against the Townsville Heat the following day.