Cadee: What Luke Paul becoming a Taipan shows me

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There's one thing NBL Next Star Luke Paul choosing the Cairns Taipans proves to me.

The 17-year-old wants to go somewhere where he can just concentrate on basketball.

Yes, as an NBA prospect, Paul could've almost chosen any franchise in the NBL. From the defending champions in Sydney Kings, to powerhouse clubs such as Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats to the rising South East Melbourne Phoenix and the reinvigorated Brisbane Bullets under Will Weaver.

But he chose to be in Cairns and play under Adam Forde at the Taipans.

Obviously, Cairns is a smaller regional place. So, he can go up there, and there's not many distractions and he can just focus on his game.

Also, he's going to have guys up there like Shaun Bruce and Sunday Dech around him. They've just brought back Keanu Pinder, they've got a superstar in Jack McVeigh and you've got a sharpshooter in Reyne Smith as well. On top of that, I think they'll fit in an import point guard in there.

I look at it as a place where he can go and get to work on who he wants to become as a player.

It's a place where he's going to be given a chance to show who he is, a place where he's going to be able to earn minutes and I think that's the other part.

I look at it and say, you want to choose somewhere where opportunity isn't given but you can earn minutes.

How do I go somewhere and earn 10 minutes a night, maybe 15 minutes a night if I play well, maybe five minutes if I don't play well.

I think that's what in his decision, stood out to me.

Where can I go and find a place as a young kid, because that's what he is, a young kid, and earn some minutes, work on my game and ultimately become an NBA player.

I think there's probably no better place for him to do that than in Cairns.

Also, you put environment and opportunity on top of the style of play Fordey traditionally has Cairns playing and I think that will allow Luke to shine.

One of Australia's brightest young prospects going to Cairns is also just great for the league and great for a place like Cairns and we can't wait to see what he can produce in the NBL next season.

Jason Cadee is the host of the Cut to the Jase podcast and a contributor for basketball.com.au. He played 15 seasons in the NBL and a total of 424 games.