Taipans eye Tall Black veteran
THE local point- guard musical chairs of the NBL free agency period has seen former Townsville Crocs captain Mitch Norton and Jarrad Weeks shun the Taipans, which could open the door for a veteran Perth Wildcat to sign with Cairns.
The Taipans are showing interest and have made contact with NBL championship winner Jarrod Kenny, who has been forced out of Perth, with Norton set to take over his role.
The 32- year- old has been a steady hand as a back- up point guard to Olympian Damian Martin since signing with the club in 2015 and averaged five points and almost two assists a game in 16 minutes last season.
The Townsville Bulletin has been told a two- year- deal is on the table for Kenny, with other NBL clubs also interested in the New Zealand Tall Black veteran.
The Wildcats decided not to take up the option on Kenny’s contract for the 2018- 19 season recently and made the move official yesterday.
“The difficult decision was made as the club recognises the importance of building the long- term future to its playing group,” the Wildcats said in a statement.
“Kenny arrived at the club in 2015 and went on to become one of just three Wildcats in history to win titles in their first and second seasons.
“The Perth Wildcats would like to thank Jarrod Kenny for being an outstanding teammate and clubman during his time at the organisation and wish him the very best in the next phase of his career.”
Kenny played 94 games over three years in Perth and was a popular member of the club. He is playing with the Hawke’s Bay Hawks of the New Zealand National Basketball League this winter.
Illawarra Hawk and Townsville junior Norton was a priority for new Taipans coach Mike Kelly but the Commonwealth Games representative has elected to move to Perth with the official announcement expected in the coming days.
Just hours after Norton linked with the Wildcats, incumbent starting Taipans point guard Jarrad Weeks elected to move across the ditch to the New Zealand Breakers on a two- year- deal.
The Breakers are yet to confirm the signing of Weeks but Fox Sports Australia reported on Saturday that the 28- year- old was set to sign a two- year- deal with the club.
Weeks will play with the Southland Sharks in the NZ NBL this winter.