Majok and Mirko make move to Marlins

Cairns Basketball Inc is excited to announce CQUniversity Cairns Taipans players Majok Deng and Mirko Djeric have both committed to the Cairns Marlins and will make their NBL1 North debut this Friday night at the Fishtank.

Deng joins the Marlins following his second year with the Taipans, in what is his first NBL off-season campaign outside of Adelaide. Deng suffered a partial tear to his MCL in February – the first injury in his career – but still managed to average 12 points and 4.4 rebounds across his 20 games in the 2021 season. 

Djeric suits up in the second-tier Queensland league for a second time in his career, previously playing for the Townsville Heat. The Serbian sniper enjoyed extended minutes towards the backend of the Taipans’ season, averaging 13 points in his last three games. 

Like Deng, Djeric has spent two years with the Taipans and their commitment to the club’s feeder team is a significant bolster for Cairns, and both organisations. 

The Ground Cairns Marlins Head Coach Kerry Williams said that both Deng and Djeric would have played last season too, if the QBL (NBL1) season wasn’t cancelled due to COVID-19.

“I am extremely happy that we have managed to get another commitment from Majok and Mirko, and that they are ready to jump in so soon after an extremely long and challenging NBL season,” he said. 

“They are obviously a massive part of the Taipans team, and they are going to be a huge boost to this Marlins group. They both bring their individual talents and their own unique energy – they take us to another level, and I think they will help us be Championship contenders this season.”

Deng and Djeric will suit up in the blue and orange this Friday at Cairns Basketball, taking on the Southern District Spartans at 8:30pm.  Tickets only available online.