Taipans sign development player Jordan Hunt

The CQUniversity Cairns Taipans announce they have signed NZNBL Grand Final MVP Jordan Hunt as a development player, bringing the Taipans roster to 12. Playing alongside Taipans Jarrod Kenny and Jordan Ngatai, Hunt won the 2020 Championship with the Otago Nuggets and the affable trio will be reunited this season in the Far North under reigning NBL Coach of the Year Mike Kelly.

The 205cm forward claimed the 2020 Grand Final MVP honour with a performance of 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals, while also winning his second NZNZBL title – the first being with the Wellington Saints in 2016.

Taipans Head Coach Mike Kelly said that Hunt crossing the Tasman and committing to Cairns would be the beginning of a fruitful NBL career for the talented kiwi.

“We have tried to recruit players that we think will be NBL players. It’s important for our strength as a group and we plan to give our development players, and young training players, opportunities to progress and be ready to fight for a roster position. 

“Jordan’s a skilled big – he finds gaps, he reads the game well and makes the game easier for his teammates. I’m excited for him do that with us, at a higher level.”

The 23-year-old recently graduated from Southern Oregon University, where he averaged 12.9 points at 58.8 per cent and 5.6 rebounds as a senior for the Raiders.

Following his graduation earlier this year, Hunt returned home where he averaged 19.6 points and 5.9 rebounds starting for the Nuggets in their condensed season.

“Jordan is fresh out of college and has been a consistent player at a quality US program. Then we watched him get more comfortable every week playing alongside JK and Jordan [Ngatai] in New Zealand,” said Coach Kelly.

“That chemistry is definitely something we took into account when we thought about recruiting him. We’re not leaning on him to come and be a key player right now, but we know he’s a good person and will fit in with our team and our culture. 

“I see him as player that is only going to get better on court, and this will be a really significant year for his growth and maturity as he develops into an NBL player.”

Jordan Hunt is the only development player signed with the Taipans, with Tad Dufelmeier and Koen Sapwell expected to remain with the team throughout the 2021 NBL season as training players.