Shades of All-Star – that’s Noi stretch
Tigers: Pressure all on the Sharks
BASKETBALL AN NBL version of NBA AllStar Khris Middleton – new Taipan Kouat Noi likes the sound of that.
The rookie forward, who earlier this year declared he was one of the best first year players to come into the league for a decade, has been compared to the Milwaukee Bucks star, who is in Australia at the minute on Team USA.
Noi and Middleton are similar heights and weights, both can shoot from the outside, as well as mixing it up under the bucket, while also being able to get on the glass and push in transition.
The 21-year-old Snake likes the sound of the comparisons with Middleton.
“He is tall, a long three, he can dribble and shoot the ball,” Noi (above) said of the likeness between the two.
“I definitely try pick a few spots from his game and add it to mine.
“He is someone I look up to, too.
“I am just out there trying to keep getting better in practice for it to translate to the game.
“I want to compete, show the fans and the scouts what I have got.”
Following the 2019 season, Middleton signed a five-year, $178 million contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks – an aim Noi certainly has for his career.
Noi was speaking alongside combo-guard Mirko Djeric as the Taipans were part of a special “First5Forever” story time session celebrating Seniors Week at the Cairns City Library earlier this week.
In Cairns’ most recent preseason game, the athletic Australian drained six of his first nine shots, dropped three from deep and also hit the glass in an encouraging display for the clubs big-name off-season pick-up.
Noi led the way for Cairns with 25 points and 12 rebounds.
The Taipans imports are expected to land in the Far North this week as the NBL pre-season period gains more momentum. NETBALL