Taipans Off-Season Report - June

The off-season action continues, with our new and returning Taipans representing Cairns wherever they go.

As he prepares to return to the Club where he made his NBL debut, Shaun Bruce is currently averaging 12.7 assists per game – the only player in the NBL1 this season to average double digit assists and is the second most assists per game in NBL1 history.

Only trailing Jarvis Summers’ 13.5 assists per game from 2022, Bruce is also averaging 20.22 and seven rebounds for the Logan Thunder, who sit third in the NBL1 North.

With his side winning their games this month by an average margin of 32.5 points, his side are set for a strong finish to a season. Their next four games will be against teams sitting 10^th on the ladder or lower.

However, after facing the Northside Wizards on July 4, they’ll travel north to Cairns with the currently undefeated Marlins waiting for them.

In the NBL1 East, Reyne Smith’s Maitland Mustangs have continued their rise up the ladder.

Averaging 21.6 points, 3.8 triples and 1.6 steals per game, Smith has led his side through the later part of their season with a post-season berth in sight and will face Penrith and Central Coast to close out June.

Next Star Luke Paul has played his final games with the Centre of Excellence, helping them to fourth on the ladder with two games remaining.

Averaging 8.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and a team-leading 3.6 assists across his 14 games, Paul recorded a high of 19 points in May and a double-double in his second game.

The 17-year-old will next play in the 2026 U17 World Cup.

Tune into all NBL1 games live on NBL1.com.au, with select games available via Kayo Freebies.

Ending his time in Puerto Rico with a win over Nathan Sobey’s Indios, Jack McVeigh finished with a 14-5 with the Arecibo Capitanes, while averaging 20.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

In their final game together, the BSN All-Star left on a high with an 18-point and 11-board double-double against his Sobey. Indios were without Sam Waardenburg and Tyrell Harrison due to injury.

Returning to Australia for a break before the season begins, McVeigh will have a brief stopover in Perth as he prepares to represent the country again.

In Perth later this month, Jack McVeigh will suit up for Australia at RAC Arena for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers to face Guam and the Philippines.

As the only Olympian in the line-up, the forward will play a major role in the fixtures despite their spot in the second round of qualifiers being secured.

He'll hit the court in Perth on Friday, 3 July at 8:30pm AEST to face Guam, before facing the Philippines on Monday, 6 July at 8:30pm AEST.

All World Cup Asian Qualifier games are available live on ESPN.

Meanwhile, Luke Paul is heading to Turkey with the Australian Crocs preparing for the 2026 FIBA U17 World Cup.

Already heralded as one of the biggest names of the tournament, Paul will lead the charge for his country with Serbia, Côte d'Ivoire and Venezuela waiting for them in the group stage.

Previously, Paul won a Gold at the 2024 U15 Oceania Cup and 2025 U16 Asia Cup (where he was named MVP) and also earned Silver at the 2025 U17 Oceania Cup.

Tune into all U17 World Cup games live and free on FIBA’s YouTube Channel, with the action starting on Saturday, 27 June at 9:45pm AEST when Australia faces Serbia.

Will Lopez is quickly flying through his season in New Zealand with 12 games under his belt as Head Coach of the Hawke’s Bay Hawks.

The Hawks sit 10th after struggling with injuries early in their campaign and recently lost a key piece in Jackson Ball who has departed for college.

Despite being undermanned, Lopez and Hawke’s Bay are continuing to fight, including in their overtime thriller against the Franklin Bulls.

Building out a double-digit margin in the first half, the Hawks looked set to cruise to the win before a late surge from the Bulls sent the game to overtime, where Dan Grida and Keanu Rasmussen were able to guide Hawke’s Bay to the win.

Lopez and the Hawks have eight games remaining in their season, with their final game on July 23 against the Wellington Saints.

Catch all the action on FIBA’s YouTube channel.

After a two-month break, Adam Forde and the Gangurrus returned to action in Warsaw for the 2026 FIBA 3x3 World Cup.

Selecting former-Taipans Alex Higgins-Titsha, Jonah Antonio and Lachlan Barker, Jarred Bairstow was a new addition as he made his green and gold debut.  

Entering as the 18th seeded side in the competition, they were dealt tough losses to the 8th seeded Austria (21-14) and the 9th seeded Spain (21-12) on the opening day.

Facing Madagascar in a must-win match, Forde’s men were able to keep in striking distance until a series of late buckets secured a 22-17 win for Madagascar. The Gangurrus had to take on the top seeded Serbia to close out their campaign, falling 20-16.

The Gangurrus now have just over a month to prepare for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, running from 24-29 July.