Cairns welcome Venky Jois

The CQUniversity Cairns Taipans have signed Venkatesha “Venky” Jois to the active playing roster, for the 2020-21 NBL season. The former NBA G-League forward returns to Australia from the Basketball League of Serbia and joins Far North Queensland for his second stint in the NBL.  

The 27-year-old has a vast amount of international experience, playing in the US, Estonia, Croatia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. Most recently, he played for Pirot in the top-tier Serbian league where he averaged 10 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

Previously, Jois suited up in the NBA G-League, appearing in 18 games for the Memphis Hustle in 2019. He averaged 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds in 12.3 minutes.

Originally from Melbourne, Jois was the 2011 SEABL Youth Player of the Year with the Dandenong Rangers before he was recruited by Eastern Washington University.

Throughout his collegiate career, Jois started 120 games and averaged 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He earned the Big Sky Freshman of the Year award for 2012-13 as well as All-Tournament team honours in 2015.

Jois went on to play in Estonia, Croatia, Japan and Germany, before returning home to Melbourne and signing with United late in the 2018-19 season, to add depth for their NBL Finals campaign. He joined the Super City Rangers in the New Zealand NBL before his NBA G-League debut.

Taipans Head Coach Mike Kelly said he was excited to add Jois into the mix after monitoring him for several years.

“We’ve spoken to Venky over the years and also watched him during his time at Eastern Washington.

“It’s been great to see him play all over the world, and gain all of that international experience.

“He’s a guy that can do multiple things – he plays really hard, he can switch and guard perimeter players, he can rebound the ball and attack in transition,” he said.

“It’s always difficult in the middle of a season to come in and make a big impact, but that is exactly what we need Venky to do.

“With all the different leagues and levels he’s played at, we’re confident that he’ll be able to do that.

“He’s a mature basketball player that will pick things up quickly and play the right way.”

The Taipans have a double-header in Round 15, against the New Zealand Breakers (Silverdome) and the Perth Wildcats (Cairns Pop-up Arena). Jois will suit up this weekend, pending FIBA clearance. Click HERE for tickets.