REYNE RETURNS – Cairns take up Smith’s Club Option

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans have exercised sharpshooter Reyne Smith’s club option for the 2026-27 NBL season, following a disrupted rookie season due to injury.

Smith signed his first professional contract with Cairns on a two-year deal after playing college basketball with the Charleston Cougars and Louisville Cardinals.

The Australian Boomer, who recently completed his second stint with the national team in February, remains one of Australian basketball’s emerging stars.

Smith played 14 games in orange after missing a significant portion of his rookie campaign with a plantar fascia tear in his right foot.

He made an instant impact on the league, scoring a season-high 19 points in the opening round.

The Tasmanian joined Joe Ingles and Patty Mills as the only Australians in the past 35 years to debut in the NBL with at least four made three-pointers.

The 23-year-old returned to the Taipans lineup for the last three games of the season and showcased his range against Melbourne United with 11 points, knocking down three first-half three-pointers while also collecting three steals at the defensive end.

With fellow Australian Boomer and marquee signing Jack McVeigh also re-committing to Cairns, the Taipans are set to build a strong local core for the 2026-27 campaign.