Top Taipans eager to make the grade

WITH the NBL enduring one of the longest off-season’s in league history, Cairns’ NBL franchise is using alternative methods to prepare for season 2020-21.

Coronavirus restrictions have limited how local pro basketballers train over the past few months.

But they have thought outside the box, including a hike to Windin Falls and even now playing in the local A-grade basketball season on a Monday night.

Yep, that is right. Basketballers who have their name in the upcoming NBA draft, such as Kouat Noi, runner-up in the last NBL rookie of the year award, are playing against local teenagers and tradies to get ready for the next season, which is set to start in December.

In the Aaron Fearne days in FNQ, contracted Cairns players were not even allowed to play in the old FNQ Super League, which was a step above A-grade competition.

Training and development players were permitted to play Super League, but rarely contracted pros.

With the extended off-season, contracted Taipans players have been farmed out to clubs to keep fit for their upcoming pre-season proper.

Reigning NBL coach of the year Mike Kelly addressed the club’s pre-season plan this week.

“With the virus and everything getting pushed back and uncertain in some cases, we are very fortunate here in the community to not have a lot of cases,” he said.

“Even though we have not had normal training, we have had individual training and time with the guys that have been here and the workouts have been good that way.

“I see us lucky and being able to take advantage of that situation but in the same vein there is still some uncertainty.

“We will see how it plays out and we are looking forward to a good pre-season when we are able to have everyone in town.

“We still have plenty of time between now and then.”

Kelly said he was feeling for everyone in Victoria and those at Melbourne United affected by the coronavirus.

Co-captain Nate Jawai said the signed group, which includes Mojave King, Majok Deng, Mirko Djeric, Fabijan Krslovic, Noi and George Blagojevic (who has remained with the group, but is yet to be formally signed for next NBL season), have a close bond.

“There is different types of personalities and it is exciting to be around,” Jawai said.

“It is great, we have stuck together through the COVID situation and gone on hikes together through Windin Falls. “It is a family feel here.”

The 2020-21 NBL regular season will begin “on or around” December 3 and conclude by mid-to-late April, the league announced this year.

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