Collegiate forward joins Taipans' young core

The Cairns Taipans have added an international flavour to their core of young and emerging talent, and have added collegiate forward Josh Roberts as their final import for NBL24.

Roberts has spent the past two seasons representing Manhattan in NCAA Division I after three years with St. John’s. He played 129 games over the course of a five-year collegiate career, including 27 in his final season.

He ended his final season with Manhattan averaging 12.2 points on over 70 per cent shooting in over 30 minutes per game – which was a single-season program field goal percentage record for the Jaspers.

He was also named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference third team, and was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

“The most appealing part to Josh’s game is he played his role very efficiently in college,” head coach Adam Forde said.

“Statistically, he was top 10 in the NCAA for offensive rating. He runs hard with purpose and doesn’t shy away from contact. He is always wanting to finish above the rim.

“We went through a lot of candidates this season looking for the right fit. During our character checks, one person referred to Josh as having an ‘enthusiastic approach’ to defence. You see this in his ability to defend screens and in support filling the gaps to then close out his man.

“Josh is another example of a guy who has had to work for everything. Like Tahj, Bul and so many others, nothing was handed to him. He had to do the grind years, and it’s those years that really builds a young man’s character."

Roberts has joined fellow imports Tahjere McCall and Patrick Miller, Next Star Bobi Klintman, and rostered group Bul Kuol, Sam Waardenburg, Jonah Antonio, Lat Mayen, Sam Mennenga, AK Gak, Taran Armstrong and Lachlan Anderson in the Taipans side for NBL24.