Taipans announce co-captains ahead of NBL tip-off
Just a day out from their first NBL game for the season, the Cairns Taipans have announced DJ Newbill and Nathan Jawai as the team’s co-captains.
Bamaga-born big man Jawai is suiting up for his home team for the fifth time, while American import and all-rounder Newbill is back for a second year, after becoming a fan favourite last season.
Head Coach Mike Kelly says both have put in the hard yards in the off-season.
“These two have both taken great strides and made great choices not only in taking care of themselves but also their games,” he said.
“I’ve been on them both during the off-season about how they come back to the Cairns Taipans and they’ve both stepped up to the plate and just said, ‘I want to be better and I want to help my team be better.’”
The pair is among only three players who’ve returned to the Snakes from last season.
The new-look squad includes some exciting talent, who’ll be put to the test when they take on hot favourites the Sydney Kings in round one at the Cairns Convention Centre tomorrow night.
Check out the player profiles in the latest edition of Tropic magazine, which you can grab as you enter the Convention Centre.
Click here to buy tickets to the next Taipans game.
