Three-time champion returns to Taipans

The Cairns Taipans announced on Tuesday that they are welcoming three-time NBL champion Shaun Bruce back to the club for the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 Season.

This two-year deal for Bruce sees him re-join the club his NBL career started with back in the 2012-13 season.

Since then, the now 35-year-old has amassed 378 games across 14 seasons with the Taipans, Brisbane Bullets, Adelaide 36ers and Sydney Kings.

In his most recent stint, Bruce played a pivotal role in helping the Kings win the NBL22, NBL23 and NBL26 championships.

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde is excited to have the chance to work with Bruce once again.

“I first got to work with Shaun back in 2019 while at Sydney, and at that time, he had only played seven games as an injury replacement player the season before,” Forde said.

“From that point on, he established himself as a driver of culture, standards and mateship.

“That approach took him from an IRP (Injury Replacement Player) to now being one of the top players in all-time games played for Sydney.

“That’s a testament to him and what he brings. So, we will need all of that from him, as well as production on court.”

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During his time in the Harbour City, Bruce made the second-most appearances as a King (219 games), while also finishing with the all-time most wins with the club (136), fourth most assists (524 assists), third all-time total plus-minus (+411 points), and ninth most three-pointers (199 made triples).

“When people watch Shaun play, they can see he has a level of toughness and resilience to his game, but that’s the tip of the iceberg with him,” Forde said.

“His mental toughness and resilience are what impress me the most.

“You can see his focus and work that he’s put in the off-season with Logan to do that.

“I’m asking Shaun to go another level for me this season, and I have no doubt he will do it too.”

Bruce, who is currently averaging 20.13 points, 12.63 assists and 7 rebounds per game for Logan in NBL1 North, joins Jack McVeigh and Reyne Smith as contracted players for the Taipans next season.

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