Forde excited to work with latest recruit

After signing as the latest NBL Next Star in January, Luke Paul has confirmed his move to the Far North as he joins the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans, and his new Head Coach could not be more excited.

Becoming only the second Next Star to play under Adam Forde during his six seasons in Cairns, and the third in club history, the highly regarded guard is set to join the long list of local players that have developed their talents in the Far North.

With the likes of Bul Kuol, Keanu Pinder, Sam Waardenburg, Alex Higgins-Titsha and Taran Armstrong growing into key players under his leadership, the 2023 Coach of the Year is already eager to get to work with the Western Australian.

“Luke Paul is exciting. He’s just turned 17 and he’s massive - he’s 6’6”, he’s got big hands - and he’s got real good vision,” said Head Coach Adam Forde.

“There are people drawing comparisons with Giddey and Armstrong, but those comparisons are real.

“His ability to navigate the screen and how he looks for his teammates then picks his moments, he’s an exciting prospect and he’s got a big future.”

Joining the Next Stars program on a multi-year deal, the 17-year-old’s time in Cairns is already being mapped out, with Forde working on how to get his new recruit ready for action.

Drawing on his experience from developing Armstrong during his two-year stint in orange, it’s a process that the Head Coach knows well.

From joining the Taipans in 2023, Armstrong’s career exploded with the Tasmanian reaching the heights of the NBA with the Golden State Warriors and a season in the EuroLeague with Dubai, and Forde is already looking to where the partnership can go.

“He’s on a two-year plan that we’re looking at with Luke and how we can progress him to the point where he’s going to be NBA and draft ready.

“And we’re very fortunate that he, his family and his team have trust in us to take care of that process for him.”

After starting his career with the Willetton Tigers and the Perth Wildcats Academy, Paul has spent the last year developing at Basketball Australia’s Centre of Excellence (COE), with the teenager joining their conference leading NBL1 side.

However, as he enters his first professional contract Paul knows that he still needs to put the work in - a crucial piece for Forde.

“He’s of the right mindset too. What I love about Luke as a Next Star that he knows that nothing is promised and nothing is given.

“He’s going to have to earn everything, and he’s coming up here with the right mindset to do that.”

Paul has closed up his time in the COE’s NBL1 lineup who sat 11-1 at the time of his departure, with his focus now firmly on leading Australia's campaign in Turkey at the U17 World Cup.

Once his time on the world's stage is complete, the Next Star will make his way to Cairns to begin his professional career.