Taipans announce injury replacement

The CQUniversity Cairns Taipans have signed HYRUM HARRIS as a nominated injury replacement player. The 6’6” forward flies to Melbourne today to join the team, but he will not suit up tonight. Harris will return with the team to Cairns ahead of the Easter home game against United.

The 24-year-old was a development player with the Illawarra Hawks last season, playing alongside NBA Draft Pick LaMelo Ball. He shot a team high 61 per cent from the field in his 16 appearances. 

The New Zealand native has also represented the Tall Blacks and was selected for last year’s FIBA Asia Cup qualifier against the Australian Boomers.

“H” has played five seasons in the NZNBL, previously with the Super City Rangers, Hawkes Bay Hawks and Southland Sharks. Most recently, Harris averaged 15.1 points and 11.7 rebounds for the Manawatu Jets.

He will return to the Bay Hawks in the 2021 NZNBL season, joining Taipans guard Jarrod Kenny who recently signed for the upcoming NBL off-season.  

The Taipans remain without Kouat Noi and Majok Deng, with Noi’s recovery expected to last up to another 11 weeks while Deng is set to return in 3-4 weeks.