Taipans secure New Zealand talent

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans officially welcome rising star Walter Brown to the Far North, with the New Zealand Tall Black signing on a one-year deal in his return to the league.

The 6’5” wing was previously signed to the Tasmania JackJumpers but was released to attend the University of Nevada for his senior year.

Brown played in multiple 40+ minute games for the Runnin’ Rebels, averaging 3.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game while shooting at 43.7 per cent from the field.

The 23-year-old returned from his college stint to play a sixth season with the Canterbury Rams, where he was named the NZNBL’s Most Improved Player earlier this month.

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde said he was impressed by Brown’s rise and reputation.

“Walt has a really solid reputation for his work ethic. He has high-level college experience after just playing a year at UNLV and has been part of Championship-winning teams in the NBL and NZNBL already,” said Forde.

“He does things that suit our style of play – shoots the ball well, defends athletically, cuts off the ball and by all accounts, does the one percenters. That’s important for us and will set him up for success here in Cairns and his career moving forward.”

Brown made his Tall Blacks debut in 2022 at the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers and was the youngest member of the squad during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The New Zealand native began his career with the Canterbury Rams at 18-years-old in 2021 and won his first NZNBL Championship in 2023. He was named the league’s Youth Player of the Year in the same season and joined the JackJumpers as a development player.

Brown spent three seasons with Tasmania as a DP and during his time won the 2024 NBL Championship and a second NZNBL title with the Rams.

He will reunite with former Tasmania teammates Jack McVeigh and Brody Nunn in Cairns, also joining Jaylon Brown, Keanu Pinder, Sunday Dech, Reyne Smith, Shaun Bruce, Luke Paul, and Jonah Bolden on the roster.