28
Apr
CODE Sports
Prodigy Luke Paul on the cusp of deciding NBL future
Luke Paul in action for WA Metro during the 2026 Basketball Australia Under-18 National Championships. Picture: Jade Glasson
Highlights
One of Australia's brightest young prospects could be joining the Cairns Taipans for NBL27
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Cairns Taipans have emerged as the leading candidate to sign NBL Next Star teen guard Luke Paul – with the Taipans’ proven development focus seen as a ticket to the NBA, writes Matt Logue from CODE Sports Basketball.
Paul is weighing offers from multiple NBL clubs but theTaipans look set to be his best option to improve and secure playing time.
Cairns coach Adam Forde – a proud Western Australian – has a close eye on the junior talent across the country and is known for his development of rising talent. Paul is in the infancy of his career but he is already being compared to Australian NBA star Josh Giddey.
It’s a big statement to make considering Paul is just 17 but watching him play live, it’s easy to see why the Giddey links are being made.
Standing at 6’6, he is a big point guard who also possesses blessed basketball IQ with a pinpoint passing game and elite vision.
He can also rebound and run the floor with the best in the business, which makes Giddey comparisons inevitable.
The Perth-born guard is the youngest-ever athlete to join the NBL’s proven Next Stars program.
Paul – from the Willetton Tigers and Wildcats Academy programs – is currently developing at Basketball Australia’s renowned Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Canberra.
For the full story on CODE Sports Basketball, click here.
