Kiwi star back for a third year in Cairns

EXPERIENCED point guard Jarrod Kenny has landed a new NBL contract, with Cairns bringing him back for another campaign.

It will be his third consecutive year with the club after starting his Australian career with championships in Western Australia.

The veteran New Zealander has been a rock solid back-up point guard in the NZ NBL for more than a decade.

The new deal with the Snakes is for one NBL season.

“Super excited to be heading back to Cairns, can’t wait to get over there,” Kenny said.

“I am here to work, win a championship and hopefully get better every day.

“It was an easy decision for me to come back to Cairns. I love the city.”

Kenny, 34, was a part of the Otago Nuggets side who won their maiden NZ NBL title at the weekend in their first-ever grand final appearance. They beat the Jets 79-77.

The popular reserve guard is one of the few NBL players who had the opportunity to play during the winter months.

Cairns head coach Mike Kelly said Kenny was an integral part of his team.

“JK is the whole package, and he’s been huge for the Taipans in his two years here,” Kelly said.

“He’s such a selfless player and has been so important for us in those clutch moments.

“JK runs the team, shoots the ball consistently and digs in on defence.

“He also helps create such great culture within the group.

“He’s got a special style of leadership that the team really responds to.”

Entering free-agency, the FNQ team had a solid number of guys secured already: Mojave King, Majok Deng, Mirko Djeric, Fabijan Krslovic and Kouat Noi – with Nate Jawai now added to that list, alongside Kenny.

Kenny has suited up for the New Zealand national team more than 70 times and his contributions to Cairns were acknowledged last year with the Taipans Coaches Award, and again this year when he was voted by his teammates as the Players’ Player.