'Whatever it takes': Mag ready to spark Cairns revival in return home

• Cairns Taipans rookie Mawot Mag played his first NBL game against Adelaide on October 2 after missing the first three games with injury
• Mag was part of a free agency signing rampage from Cairns, which also netted Jack McVeigh and Reyne Smith
• He played collegiate basketball at Rutgers and BYU

The return of first-year pro Mawot Mag comes as a timely boost for the 2-2 Cairns Taipans amid some early season hurdles, including the loss of star big Sam Waardenburg to injury.

Reinforcements are much-needed for the Taipans, who are ready to win after an offseason of investment, and have a tough round four ahead with clashes against the Perth Wildcats and Melbourne United.

Mag, who suited up for his first regular season NBL game against Adelaide on October 2, has been on a long journey to arrive back in Australia and he’s looking to make a name for himself at home while contributing his winning ways to coach Adam Forde's program.

Mag ventured over as a teenager to the US high school system all the way back in 2017, first for Victory Rock Prep, followed by Prolific Prep for his junior and senior high school seasons, where he would team up with fellow South Sudanese Australian Kuany Kuany. He’s never been fully back since.

“I’ve been back for short times every year or two. Two years ago was the last time I was back,” Mag told basketball.com.au.

“I was raised here, but born in Sudan. To be around my family, my friends, nieces and nephews, it’s a great feeling - I haven’t been back here in so long. Playing in Australia means a lot to me.”

Mag's basketball journey took him from Rutgers University to BYU, where he played under coach Kevin Young and the transition helped transform him from a raw talent into a well-rounded, team-first competitor.

“Playing at Rutgers, I went there as a little boy and came out as a man, on and off the court,” he said.

“Then BYU, we did March Madness, it was an amazing experience. Those experiences helped me a lot - I just tried to be a sponge, learn everything and absorb as much information as I could. They had incredible resources, so I wanted to use that time to be a student of the game.”

Leaving college as one of the NCAA’s most well-respected defenders, Mag was quickly recruited to the Taipans in a fit that felt predestined. Forde, a defensively-minded coach, has also platformed several South-Sudanese talents over recent years, providing a platform for players such as Bul Kuol to catapult their careers.

“I’m a competitor and I do whatever it takes to help my team win,” Mag said about his defensive prowess.

“I like to take up the challenge to defend the best opposition player. I’m long, I’m quick laterally, but it all comes down to belief and drive.”

“What Fordey’s done in the past developing young players, it was the best fit."

While Forde and the Taipans' staff were inevitably big fans of Mag’s defensive presence, reflected in the confidence to throw him onto reigning MVP Bryce Cotton in his first minutes, the offensive end is where they’ll be looking for future growth. After four games, the Taipans sit dead last in offensive rating league wide and are desperately clamouring for more ball-handlers and shot-makers.

With 0 points in 13 minutes across his debut, it’s clear that Mag is not going to be an immediate remedy for these woes but with a gap to be filled, Mag’s in the environment to evoke the green light for future offensive expansion in the guard’s game.

“BYU had great player development. They really wanted me to be a more efficient player, wanting to take the easier shot rather than a more difficult shot,” he said.

“So really just trying to be more consistent in that regard.”

That shot-selection refinement paid dividends during his graduate year at BYU, where he went from 24.7% from three the year prior to an excellent 39.7%. While he comes into the league as a ‘three and D’ offensive piece, the longer term goal will be developing a more functional handle and driving game in the halfcourt, which Forde is empowering through use of him at the off-guard position.

“Fordey wants me to play some minutes at the two guard position and it’s an adjustment, but the way the game is played now is super positionless. I’ve been working really hard in the off-season," Mag said.

Mag’s current skill-set may not be a silver bullet for the Taipans roster deficiencies but his talents certainly mirror the type of player Forde can get the best out of. As we see the new Taipan continue to warm into the rotation, and particularly once the playmaking and of Waardenburg returns to the lineup, Mag should grow into a valuable stopper, complementary offensive piece, and most importantly, a winning contributor.

“I just want to go out there and help my team win, and do whatever it takes. I play to win,” he said.

“The goal is to win a championship, we have the roster, and once we get a rhythm and chemistry the sky's the limit.”

About the Author

Michael Houben is an Australian basketball writer and scout based in Melbourne, Victoria. As well as covering the game as a journalist, Michael supports US colleges to identify and recruit Australian talent as the owner of Airtime Scouting, and supports grassroots athletes through Airtime Basketball.