Best social comp in Queensland

With limited opportunities to play during the NBL off-season, a number of CQUniversity Cairns Taipans players – past and present – are suiting up in the local A-grade competition at Cairns Basketball on Monday nights; potentially making it one of the most credentialed social competitions in the country. 

Recently re-signed Taipans trio Kouat Noi, Fabijan Krslovic and Mirko Djeric have been “drafted” to separate teams and will face each other twice in the 12-week competition and are regularly joined by a host of familiar faces including Nathan Jawai and Mojave King. 

Each team in CBI’s A-grade competition boasts wide-ranging experience, in particular the “Gryffindors” squad that is led by popular Taipans veterans – Aaron Grabau, Matt Smith, Alex Loughton and Gary Boodnikoff as they sit at the top of the ladder, yet to lose a game. They are rounded out by Grabau’s son Isaiah, Aaron Bin Tahal and Jimmy Mitchell. 

The Orange Army will particularly love the “Lakers,” with Kouat Noi leading a team joined by George Blagojevic, Tad Dufulmeier as well as a promising Josh Kelly (Head Coach Mike Kelly’s son); while Fab Krslovic is suiting up for the “Celtics” in a team with NBL Next Star Mojave King, Ky Stattmann, Koen Sapwell and Kane Runnalls.

Mirko Djeric is suiting up for the “Rockets” in the comp, with a strong Marlins contingent - Anthony Fisher, Jaylan Bin Tahal and Andre Van Slooten.

Nathan Jawai hit the hardwood with the “Konstructacons” in the first week to link up with Marlins record-holder Curt Ahwang, 2009 QBL Champion Jacob Pilot and former Taipan Damon Heuir.

Other notable mentions include 2018 FNQ NAIDOC Basketball Tournament MVP Conrad Ahwang, Cairns Basketball stalwarts Deba and Kailu George, as well as a host of talented young locals across various teams – Joel Matysek, Denzel Kennedy, Aron Farmer, Jaylon Beecroft and Nic Gamble.

Basketball fans are encouraged to head along on Monday nights from 6:30pm for these free sessions (sign-in at venue required) as tickets for the upcoming “Top of the North” series will be extremely limited due to COVID-19 restrictions and Queensland Government guidelines. Currently, there are only a few corporate boxes remaining at the following rates:

ONE-DAY CORPORATE BOX: $160 (four seats, drinks and snacks package)
TWO-DAY CORPORATE BOX: $250 (four seats, drinks and snacks package)

The Cairns Basketball rosters will be strong competition against Townsville Basketball. The Marlins will feature Mirko Djeric, Fab Krslovic, George Blagojevic, Anthony Fisher, Tad Dufelmeier, Koen Sapwell and Majok Deng, with one of these players rested (each game) to abide by NBL1 roster rules, giving locals Ky Stattmann, Kane Runnalls, Tysei Hutchinson, Jaylan Beecroft, Jordan Dudgeon and Josh Kelly the opportunity to step up. The Dolphins will be brilliant thanks to the talents of Cayla George, Myra Donkin, Nyre Harris, Jade Kennedy, LJ Williams and Sarah Heard. Contact Cairns Basketball (40412145 or support@cairnsbasketball.com) for box tickets only.