Forde's pitch seals the deal for Smith

Adam Forde’s history of developing young players was the catalyst for Reyne Smith’s reported move to the Cairns Taipans, the sharpshooter has revealed.

The Louisville Cardinals graduate is set for his first year as a professional, after an impressive Summer League stint and a call-up to the Australian Boomers’ squad for the Asia Cup starting this week.

Smith looms as the first new signing for the Taipans for the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Season.

"A lot of options were kind of looking towards Europe and then Fordey kind of hit me up and discussed the situation, opportunity, and it was everything I was looking for really,” the emerging guard revealed via basketball.com.au.

“So, it kind of came down to would I rather do it back in Australia or Europe? "I'd much rather be home for especially the next two years.”

Smith said Forde’s reputation for making emerging players better and taking them to the next level was key.

"Talking to Taran Armstrong and getting his experience with (Forde), his style and just kind of asking around and getting the vibe, it was all positive thing,” he continued.

"He's got a great history of working with rookies and being successful with them.

"It's going to give me a lot of confidence out there playing my game, so I'm really looking forward to it."

Smith had an impressive senior year in Louisville, averaging 13.1 points a game and ranking third nationally for three-pointers per game (3.5).

Now, a whirlwind few months will see him pull on the green and gold in Saudi Arabia.

"(Being with the Boomers) is awesome,” Smith said.

“You hear so many stories of just how good the culture here is. It's my first real Boomers campaign and it's living up to it. It's been so much fun around the fellas and all the staff and just everything. It's been awesome and great to kind of get back to Australia and play again, it's a lot of fun.”

Read more here >> Taipans recruit ready to 'Reyne' on Asia Cup parade