Homegrowntalentsout to take next step
TWO more Indigenous FNQ basketballers will hope to carve a path to the big leagues like those before them after signing with the Cairns Dolphins this week.
Rising stars Leichan ‘LJ’ Williams and Teyahna Bond will be back on board with the new-look Dolphins who enter the season with plenty to prove.
After playing under-18s with the Dolphins, Williams gained two years of collegiate experience, playing ball for Salt Lake City Community College.
Now back at Early Settler Stadium, LJ will get to learn from one of the best bigs in the business – Cayla George.
“Having that guidance to work under the post and off the board will really help me become a more dominant player,” Williams said.
Bond – the niece of Bamaga big man Nate Jawai – has also made the massive leap from Cairns’ junior program.
“My uncle Nate is an inspirational person to me,” she said. “He always gives me advice and is always guiding me to the right paths.”
Jawai said he was proud to see more Indigenous Far Northerners follow in the footsteps to professional sports such as he did.
“I started off here, and it took me a long way. The local kids here have the support of their families and it’s exciting,” he said.