Taipans off-season action - May 2025

As the off-season continues, check in with the returning Taipans whilst they remain in action across the world.

In Cairns, the duo of Alex Higgins-Titsha and Kody Stattmann have been a strong force for the Cairns Marlins - in a lineup led by Kerry Williams and including former-Taipans Damon Heuir, Kian Dennis and James Mitchell - who are currently sitting third after their opening three games.

After his debut NBL season, Higgins-Titsha is leading the side in both the points and rebounds column, and ranked second for assists, free throws per game, and steals – trailing only Stattmann in the latter.

Averaging just under 23 points per outing, the forward is having his best scoring season in the NBL1 since joining the competition in 2022 and is just shy of averaging a double-double, whilst his fellow Taipan is showing off his scoring prowess.

Shooting 50% from range and 62% from inside the arc across the campaign, Stattmann is also averaging a career best three steals per game – led by a six steal performance during their win against Logan.

Wrapping up their opening three game road stint, the side will play their first home game this Saturday at the Fishtank - starting with the Dolphins at 5:30pm before the Marlins take to the court at 7:30pm, with tickets available HERE.

After initially opting to sit out the NBL1 season, Kyle Adnam has joined the Southern Districts Spartans where he’s linked up with former-NBL players Matthew Hodgson and Tamuri Wigness.

Signing just in time for the start of the season, the guard delivered on his first night – nailing a game winner over newly signed 36ers' guard Matt Kenyon to hand the Spartans a one-point win.

Southern Districts have dropped their two games since, however Adnam has averaged 26 points, 3.3 rebounds, four assists and 1.7 steals across his three games so far.

After wrapping up the Japanese B3 League season ranked fourth, Kyrin Galloway’s Iwate Big Bulls quickly dispatched the Gifu Swoops in the quarter finals before progressing through to the semi-finals.

Becoming the first side to qualify for the second round, they faced a lengthy two week break before facing ladder leaders Yokohama Excellence – initially walking away with a 12-point win, before Yokohama delivered three and single-point wins to knock out the Big Bulls.

Averaging 13.6 points, seven rebounds, 1.6 assists and two blocks across 30 minutes per game in the playoffs, the Big Bulls will now face the Niigata Albirex this weekend in the battle for third place, with the winner lined up for promotion to the B2 League.

Continuing his strong form in a league filled with the top talent from across the NBL, Sam Waardenburg and the Indios de Mayagüez are pushing to remain at the top of the table as the BSN regular season approaches its end.

Currently sitting third in their group – one win behind first – the Taipans forward is currently contributing 15.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks across 35 minutes per game, with 13 games remaining in their 34-game schedule.

Sitting four wins clear of fifth place, Mayagüez is well poised for a playoff run, with the finals running into late August before the New Zealander returns to Cairns.