Wigness excited to play part in Asian title bid

CAIRNS basketball prodigy Tamuri Wigness will be a part of the Australian team making their maiden appearance at the FIBA under-16 Asian Championships which began yesterday in China.

Wigness, who attends the NBA Global Academy, will face Malaysia and Philippines in Group B of the tournament.

The explosive guard, who turned 16 on March 26, is looking forward to facing the comthe petition in China.

“Our goal is only winning Asia and then also win the World Cup,” Wigness said.

“It will be a very good experience for myself, learning different type of skills and plays around the world and also that I can see what I need to improve.” Wigness counts Cairns Taipans big man Nate Jawai as a mentor.

“He is a big brother to me, just showing that a kid from the Torres Strait Islands can make it all the way up to the NBA,” Wigness said.

■ ARON Baynes sank two three-pointers and three other mid-range jump shots in the first quarter of the Celtics’ 110-99 demolition of the Eastern Conference leading Toronto Raptors on Sunday.

The Celtics’ TD Arena erupted into jubilation at his sudden shooting form. Mareeba product Baynes, a six-year NBA veteran, had only successfully shot one of his previous 19 three-point attempts.

That first successful one was three years ago when he tossed up a brick while playing for the San Antonio Spurs.

“It’s something I’ve been working on,” Baynes said.

■ CAIRNS Saints junior Charlie Dixon was thrown into the ruck to cover for injured ruck star Paddy Ryder as he helped Port Adelaide claim an upset victory against Sydney on Sunday. Justin Westhoff combined with Dixon in the ruck and said “big Charlie came in and he killed them in there”.