Bin Tahal tipped for key role
Coach Chris Daniel has backed Cairns Black Marlins point guard Jaylan Bin Tahal to prove he is ready for a bigger QBL role in 2018. Bin Tahal and NBA Global Academy athlete Tamuri Wigness will drive the Black Marlins’ offence over the next three days as they face the Papuan Blacks from Port Moresby as part of the trans-Tasman basketball tournament. “He’s a smart player at both ends ... so hopefully he can be that on-court leader for us,” Daniel said.
COACH Chris Daniel has backed Cairns Black Marlins point guard Jaylan Bin Tahal to prove he is ready for a bigger QBL role in 2018.
Bin Tahal and NBA Global Academy athlete Tamuri Wigness will drive the Black Marlins’ offence over the next three days as they face the Papuan Blacks from Port Moresby as part of the trans-Tasman basketball tournament.
Bin Tahal, like his brother Aaron, could comfortably play a bigger role in Cairns’ QBL program if it was not for the Taipans abundance of point guards and Daniel feels he will thrive over the next three days.
“Jaylan worked his butt off for the Cairns Marlins in the QBL with limited opportunity because of the depth of guards we had, so it will be a great opportunity to play good minutes for him and lead this team,” Daniel, who is also the Cairns Marlins assistant coach, said.
“He’s a smart player at both ends and he knows what I expect from him … so hopefully he can be that on-court leader for us.”
Far North Queensland indi“These genous basketball talent make up the Cairns Black Marlins.
Bin Tahal featured in the Marlins’ 2016 QBL championship but had his role reduced this year, stuck behind Anthony Fisher and Jarrad Weeks.
games will be about showcasing what we can do as players and show how well we can play,” Bin Tahal said.
“It is a really high level of basketball. We do not know much about the Papuan Blacks team but from what I have been told, they are going to work hard, not take any possessions off so for us we will just need to match that.”
Games will be played daily at 4.30pm and will serve as curtain-raisers to the Australian indigenous and New Zealand men’s and women’s clashes being played each night.
HE’S A SMART PLAYER AT BOTH ENDS AND HE KNOWS WHAT I EXPECT FROM HIM … SO HOPEFULLY HE CAN BE THAT ON-COURT LEADER FOR US