Taipans 2024-25 award winners revealed

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans have closed out the season with their annual awards night, with forward Sam Waardenburg sealing a number of accolades after his impressive season.

Walking away from the campaign with the Defensive Player of the Year, Members’ Choice MVP and Most Valuable Player awards, the New Zealander hit the court for his third season as a Taipan and saw an increase across the entire stat sheet.

Averaging 14.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.8 steals per game, the forward fell a single rebound and assist shy of the league’s first triple-double of the season in Round 18 against Perth and recorded four double-doubles across the first half of the campaign.

Making major contributions on both ends of the floor, Waardenburg was instrumental in Cairns’ strong performances since the New Year, with the forward recording eight straight performances with at least a block and averaged 1.3 steals across the second half of the season.

Ranking third in the league for assists by a forward, the Taipan also ended the season tied third with Montrezl Harrell for blocks by a forward per game, with the Taipans recognising his efforts across the court by awarding him both the Defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards.

Also acknowledging his performances, the Orange Army voted Waardenburg as their Members’ Choice MVP – following the likes of Bobi Klintman and DJ Hogg who both won the award during their time in Cairns.

After providing plenty of energy across the season, Tanner Groves was awarded the Players’ Player accolade by his peers. Kicking off his first game at the Cairns Convention Centre by blocking DJ Vasiljevic and immediately high fiving the front row, the center set the tone early and continued it throughout the entire season and led the celebrations for Taran Armstrong’s Round 20 triple-double.

In his first season in the NBL, the American led Cairns’ efforts on the offensive glass – pulling down an average of 2.1 offensive rebounds per game to average 2.4 second chance points per game. Shooting at 55.6%, Groves also had an electric shooting year and finished the regular season leading the league for true shooting percentage at 64.8% and recorded an impressive five steals in Round 11 – only bettered by five players across the league.

First arriving in Cairns in June for the Open Trial, Alex Higgins-Titsha immediately impressed the Taipans coaching staff who first gave him an opportunity as a development player, before the forward’s work ethic and hunger earned him a starting role in only his third NBL appearance.

Putting up an 11 point and 11 rebound double-double on the night alongside two assists and two steals, the forward never stopped pushing, with this effort and determination earning him the Coaches Award.

Remaining in Cairns after spending the 2023-24 season as a development player, Kian Dennis has embraced the community in his second year at the club. While remaining part of the squad, Dennis also spent a significant amount of time assisting Cairns Basketball – coaching boys and girls from under 12s through to under 19s, as well as coaching at a representative level.

Despite sustaining an injury and being unable to train, Dennis remained dedicated to the team and the community, earning him the Commitment to Community award.

Recognising his tireless contributions as a volunteer, Dr. Josh Guy was awarded the Club Person of the Year accolade. Operating as the Head of High Performance since 2018, Dr. Guy has overseen the integration of two PhD students into the club’s sports science program and helped incorporate it into the pilot program of the Taipans Academy – Girls.

Working on a day-to-day basis to coordinate player workloads, injury prevention, return-to-play programs and to oversee the undergraduate and PhD students embedded in the program, Dr. Guy ensures that he is able to do as much as possible for the club, despite being a volunteer.

2024-25 Taipans’ Club Awards Winners

Most Valuable Player – Sam Waardenburg

Members’ MVP – Sam Waardenburg

Coaches Award – Alex Higgins-Titsha

Players’ Player Award – Tanner Groves

Defensive Player of the Year – Sam Waardenburg

Commitment to Community – Kian Dennis

Club Person of the Year – Dr. Josh Guy