Hoops

Tamuri Wigness set to join Brisbane

Anonymous
Last week


Aren't Cairns struggling to fill their roster? If other teams only want him as a Next Star, Cairns should try sign him with a normal roster spot.


Yeah, There's not one player in Oz or overseas left..Yep you picked it!

Good to see the NBL willing to change the rules on the fly to get more foreign born players it, but hold the line at any opportunity to provide a chance to a young local player. Great for Australian basketball as usual.

He was hanging out with Jawai at the Marlins game tonight in Cairns. I'd love to see him as a Taipans DP next season but can understand why he'd want to move away and test himself within a different team.. He's been on the fringes of the taipans program for a while and came up through Cairns Basketball under Fearney. I remember seeing him play with the taipans against a college team 2 years ago in a taipans preseason game when he was only 15..

I get the NBL's stance on this, it's a tough situation, but it would be a pity if this became the difference between him landing a spot in the NBL or not. Especially disappointing if it meant he decided to go overseas as a result.

Hopefully this can work out the best for all parties where he just ends up as a DP/regular spot on some team.

Olgun Uluc seems to think that the NBL aren't letting teams take him as a next star, hence no announcement yet:

https://coupler.foxsports.com.au/api/v1/article/amp/basketball/nbl/two-teams-eye-tamuri-wigness-as-a-next-star-but-the-nbl-doesnt-plan-on-including-the-aussie-as-part-of-the-program-sources/news-story/6440f9cdd001e7c0ac69b5fc8f11551a?__twitter_impression=true

As a Wigness homer, I'll be the first to say that King is ahead of him. Being touted as a top 2021 draft guy already. King already has prototypical wing size/length/athleticism and can shoot the 3. Love Wigness but far more question marks given his size. Obviously Wigness is a little older as well. Reality is you have to be a big time initiator to crack the NBA as a sub-6 foot guy as it brings inherent weakness to defensive impact, off-ball utility and positional versatility. I'm praying he has another growth spurt, if that happens I rate him as next best after Maker as well.

As for Stone, it's hard to know what to make of him... as has been mentioned, he seems a little like an undersized SG.. but he can really shoot and is a solid athlete. You would assume, given the archetype, he needs to focus on developing handle/playmaking and becoming a combo type. As far as I can see he's 61st nationally on 247 and a 4* though. Their evaluation on that site as of a couple of months ago says " Should develop into an NBA draft selection". So I wouldn't rule out his chances of being an NBA player just yet.

Should be stressed it's really early days for all these guys as prospects and the next few years will be really telling.

Giddey obviously another guy that needs to be in the conversation surrounding the guys of these classes.

Pretty exciting to think that all these guys could possibly be draft picks, in theory in the same draft.

Wigness trained with Brisbane on Wednesday but Brisbane will only take him as a Next Star signing in which the NBL won't allow.

It was on the Bullets website, but now removed:

"A further announcement is expected next week following the completion of the NBL contract approval process. ..... Tamuri Wigness – Queensland."

Brisbane have been looking for a local backup guard since Kendle got injured, so I guess he's it.
I guess he either backs up the 2 spot, or they move Spuddee there, and he backs up the point, or some combination thereof.

I don't know what the rule is with DPs and College, but I know a few from the Wildcats have done it. Dech, now Bowen, and Wani was also accepted before going pro.
Also (and I don't know how Colleges view this) but you can't actually be a professional in most states until you're 18. (Because any contract you sign is legally void and unenforceable) (But I guess they could deem any payment you receive to make you pro?)
That said, I know that you are allowed to receive some payment, but only sufficient to reimburse you for costs.

As I understand it a DP is able to decline payment, thus keeping their college eligibility alive. Though from what most posts say, college isn't an option for him, so its not really a factor.

It would make sense to have him signed as a Next Star. Would be good to see a young local kid reap the benefits

Is it actually feasible to be a DP and then go and play college basketball these days?

Is there a dodgy way of paying the DP guys to go to schools and do clinics that isn't a purely basketball payment?

Doesn't use his speed? That'll do me.

if that's true about qbl changing to nbl1 what will actually change, if anything, other than the name of the league?

Qbl soon to be nbl1

His height isn’t the issue. He’s very turnover prone and is heavily left handed currently. Doesn’t use his best asset (speed) as often as he should. He can get by people easy but is tentative most of the time. Opening up lanes and kicking it to the shooters is his go to.

He is a quality DP and Could be a starter in the nbl within 4 years with the right coaching. Don’t think brisbane is best right now. Think sem would be a nice fit for the moment behind Roberson and Adnam. Offers something different.

I wonder if Ben didn't like Cadee's clothing line?

It will be good to see Wigness get some court time but yeah wish he was at Cairns where he could get more opportunity.

Cadee will be a solid guard off the bench Ben - where he belongs. He'll have some big nights without the pressure of starting for mine.

Needs a season in nbl1 for cairns marlins next year.

"No guessing who is agent will be...."

Pardon my ignorance, but who?

Or theyre figuring out College basketball fucking sucks?

So not going to college. I wonder how his schooling is?
Been a few lately that their schooling has let them down and then go the NBL path is best.

No idea how ready he is from day 1, but yeah, gets to be the backup to the backup in Brisbane? I'd have thought a 1 year deal in Cairns would be the ticket.

Sad if true. Cairns have done everything they could to support Tamuri and his development. No guessing who is agent will be....

Shane Heal on Twitter:

Dan Joyce will join the kings for this weeks road trip to nth qld. Dan has been training with us since the 1st day of camp. replace harvs