Cam Oliver commits to Cairns on two-year contract

The CQUniversity Cairns Taipans are thrilled to reveal that human highlight reel Cameron Oliver has committed to the club on a two-year contract, with the versatile NBA-bound big looking to continue his promising basketball journey in orange.

Oliver was undoubtedly the most exciting player in the NBL last season and put on a show in every venue across the country – not only impressing with his above-rim prowess but also his ability to shoot from long-range and efficiency at both ends of the floor. 

The 24-year-old averaged 17.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and tallied 50 blocks for the season – making up half of the team’s total. Remarkably, he finished with 15 double-doubles in his 31 games with season-highs of 31 points and 19 rebounds.

Reigning NBL Coach of the Year Mike Kelly said it was really significant for the Taipans to retain Oliver, for the club, the city and most importantly the fans.

“Cam had a fantastic season and he was a big part of the reason that we made the play-offs. He really fit in with our group, and it was great to see his family make a new home here and embrace the community. The city of Cairns has definitely played a role in their return, and I know they are excited to come back.”

Despite having ankle surgery less than seven months before his brilliant NBL debut, Oliver made history as the first NBL player in the 40-minute era to make 50 three-pointers and block 50 shots in the same season. He also led the league in average rebounds per game, which continued throughout the finals.

“Before Cam came to Cairns, I had watched him on film for two years playing in the G-League, so I knew what kind of calibre player he was. But I didn’t know how quickly he would get back to that level, coming off of that ankle injury,” said Coach Kelly. 

“But he exceeded our expectations and become a much more consistent and reliable player for us as the season went on. I think his mindset and his approach to the game changed over the course of the year with us and it was really cool to watch his growth in that respect, too.”

Surprisingly, Oliver missed out on an All-NBL First Team selection, but was named to the Second Team alongside Andrew Bogut, Scotty Hopson and Taipans teammate DJ Newbill.

The Nevada Wolf Pack alum was also honoured at the Taipans Awards Night in February, winning “Fan’s MVP” where in a memorable speech he thanked Cairns for reigniting his career and alluded to a likely return to the Far North.   

Oliver went on to play in the Israeli Basketball Premier League for Ironi Nes Ziona during the extended NBL off-season, where he averaged 19.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.4 steals and again reached the play-offs. 

“We all know that Cam is an NBA talent and we saw his continued development in Israel as well. He knows how he fits in with our team and this league now, so he will have high expectations of himself and I’m expecting that he will be even stronger in the season coming up.”

Cam Oliver joins Mojave King, Kouat Noi, Majok Deng, Nate Jawai, Mirko Djeric, Fabijan Krslovic, Jarrod Kenny, Jordan Ngatai and George Blagojevic on the Taipans 2021 roster.