Taipans take up AHT's option

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans reveal Alex Higgins-Titsha as their first option taken for the 2025-26 season, with the development player being elevated to the Far North Queensland roster for his first full NBL contract. 

The 202cm forward began his journey in Cairns as a standout at the club’s open day in June 2024, where his trial performance earned him his first NBL break, signing a two-year deal as a Taipans development player.

The Sydneysider started playing basketball in the Waratah Youth Division 2 in 2018, where he made an early impact and received a mid-season call up to the top division.

Moving on to study at the University of Technology Sydney, Higgins-Titsha continued to perform on the court in the UniSport University Basketball League where he became their top scorer and reached the grand final in each of his three years.

After a notable double-double performance of 34 points and 21 rebounds in 2022, he joined the Inner West Bulls in the NBL1 East where his stats continued to rise across his three campaigns.

Branching out, “AHT” joined the Bangui Sporting Club of the semi-professional Basketball Africa League during their 2023-24 season, before returning home in the hunt for his next opportunity.

Answering the call from Adam Forde, the athletic forward put his strength and endurance on display at the Taipans’ eight-hour open gym day, securing a development player contract for the 2024-25 NBL season alongside Kody Stattmann.

His first NBL minutes came in his hometown last October, where he made an instant impact, contributing four points, four rebounds and four blocks in only five minutes of action against the Kings. He followed up with four points, eight rebounds, two assists and a block against United in Melbourne.

In just his third NBL game, Higgins-Titsha earned himself a starting role, where he made the league take notice with an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double against Brisbane.

The 24-year-old had six more opportunities in the starting five during his first season in orange, half of which were on the road as an injury replacement player.

Finishing his campaign by outscoring all development players across the league, Higgins-Titsha’s work ethic, talent and hunger was acknowledged with the Coaches Award at the Taipans’ end-of-season dinner in February.

It has been a remarkable 12-months for the 24-year-old, as he travels to Singapore this week for the 3x3 Asia Cup alongside Taipans teammates Dillon Stith, Jonah Antonio and Adam Forde for the Australian Gangurrus.

The Cairns-influenced line-up recently won Bronze at the 3x3 Champions Cup in Thailand, with Higgins-Titsha claiming Team of the Tournament honours.

He joins Kody Stattmann on the 2025-26 Taipans roster, with more announcements from the club to come ahead of free agency.