2025–26 Cairns Taipans season

2025–26 Cairns Taipans season
Head coach Adam Forde
Captain Sam Waardenburg
ArenaCairns Convention Centre
NBL results
Record5–14 (26.3%)
Ladder10th
Finals finishTBD
Stats at NBL.com.au
Ignite Cup results
Record0–1 (0%)
Ladder10th
Ignite Cup finishTBD
All statistics correct as of 21 December 2025.

The 2025–26 Cairns Taipans season is the 27th season of the franchise in the National Basketball League (NBL), and the fifth season under the leadership of their head coach Adam Forde. After initially parting ways with the Taipans following the 2024–25 season,[1] Forde re-signed as head coach on 13 June 2025.[2]

Roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationalities not displayed.

Cairns Taipans roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt.
G 0 King, Mojave (IRP) 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 88 kg (194 lb)
G 1 McVeigh, Lloyd (DP) 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) 92 kg (203 lb)
G 2 Smith, Reyne  1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 86 kg (190 lb)
F 3 Mag, Mawot 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 97 kg (214 lb)
G 4 Adnam, Kyle 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) 84 kg (185 lb)
F 5 Schofield, Admiral (I) 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) 109 kg (240 lb)
G 6 Stattmann, Kody 2.02 m (6 ft 8 in) 91 kg (201 lb)
F 7 Dennis, Kian (IRP) 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)
F 9 McVeigh, Jack 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 93 kg (205 lb)
C 10 Richardson, Jed (DP)
F 11 Higgins-Titsha, Alex  2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) 81 kg (179 lb)
G 12 Andrews, Andrew (I) 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 91 kg (201 lb)
F 14 Galloway, Kyrin 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) 98 kg (216 lb)
F 21 Waardenburg, Sam (C) 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) 100 kg (220 lb)
C 24 Lee, Marcus (I) 2.11 m (6 ft 11 in) 99 kg (218 lb)
G 38 Barker, Lachlan (NRP) 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) 86 kg (190 lb)
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Angus Henskens
  • Michael Lake
  • Will Lopez
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Development player
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (I) Import player
  • (IRP) Injury replacement player
  • (NRP) Nominated replacement player
  • Injured
Updated: 13 December 2025

Depth chart

Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Development Injured
PG Andrew Andrews (I) Kyle Adnam Lachlan Barker (NRP) Reyne Smith
SG Mojave King (IRP) Kody Stattmann Lloyd McVeigh (DP)
SF Admiral Schofield (I) Mawot Mag
PF Jack McVeigh Kyrin Galloway Kian Dennis (IRP) Alex Higgins-Titsha
C Sam Waardenburg Marcus Lee (I) Jed Richardson (DP)

Standings

Ladder

Pos 2025–26 NBL season
Team Pld W L PCT Last 5 Streak Home Away PF PA PP
1 Adelaide 36ers 19 15 4 78.95% 4–1 W1 8–2 7–2 1762 1642 107.31%
2 Melbourne United 20 14 6 70.00% 1–4 W1 8–2 6–4 1918 1776 108.00%
3 S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 19 13 6 68.42% 4–1 W3 7–3 6–3 1832 1671 109.63%
4 Sydney Kings 18 11 7 61.11% 4–1 W4 5–3 6–4 1690 1546 109.31%
5 Perth Wildcats 20 11 9 55.00% 2–3 W1 4–6 7–3 1771 1725 102.67%
6 Tasmania JackJumpers 19 8 11 42.11% 3–2 L1 2–7 6–4 1626 1644 98.91%
7 New Zealand Breakers 19 7 12 36.84% 3–2 L2 4–5 3–7 1693 1689 100.24%
8 Illawarra Hawks 18 6 12 33.33% 2–3 L2 4–6 2–6 1597 1732 92.21%
9 Brisbane Bullets 19 5 14 26.32% 0–5 L7 1–7 4–7 1621 1825 88.82%
10 Cairns Taipans 19 5 14 26.32% 2–3 L1 2–9 3–5 1558 1818 85.70%

Updated to match(es) played on 21 December 2025. Source: NBL.com.au

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the overall points percentage will determine order of seeding.

Ladder progression

Leader and qualification to semifinals
Qualification to semifinals
Qualification to play-in
Last place
2025–26 NBL season
Team ╲ Round12345678910111213141516171819202122
Adelaide 36ers—21223332211
Brisbane Bullets378977778899
Cairns Taipans747781091010101010
Illawarra Hawks—9981081087988
Melbourne United212111111122
New Zealand Breakers610101099899767
Perth Wildcats564365555445
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix156432223333
Sydney Kings—85656444554
Tasmania JackJumpers433544666676
Updated to match(es) played on 14 December 2025. Source: NBL.com.au

Game log

Pre-season

Main article: 2025 NBL pre-season

The 2025 NBL Blitz will run from 27 to 31 August 2025 with games being played at the AIS Arena, Canberra.[3][4]

2025 NBL Blitz game log
Total: 0–2 (Home: 0–1; Road: 0–1)
August: 0–2 (Home: 0–1; Road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 28 August Tasmania L 95–97 (OT) Admiral Schofield (24) Marcus Lee (11) Kody Stattmann (6) AIS Arena
n/a 		0–1
2 31 August @ New Zealand L 94–75 Kody Stattmann (15) Alex Higgins-Titsha (10) Adnam, Waardenburg (4) AIS Arena
n/a 		0–2

Regular season

Main article: 2025–26 NBL regular season

The regular season will begin on 18 September 2025.[5] It will consist of 165 games (33 games each) spread across 22 rounds, with the final game being played on 20 February 2026.[6]

2025–26 game log
Total: 5–13 (Home: 2–9; Road: 3–4)
September: 2–1 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 20 September @ S.E. Melbourne L 114–77 Reyne Smith (19) Marcus Lee (12) Kody Stattman (5) John Cain Arena
5,371 		0–1
2 26 September Brisbane W 83–82 McVeigh, Schofield (19) Jack McVeigh (9) Jack McVeigh (9) Cairns Convention Centre
4,052 		1–1
3 28 September @ Sydney W 74–77 Jack McVeigh (24) Jack McVeigh (9) Andrew Andrews (7) Sydney SuperDome
8,536 		2–1
October: 0–7 (Home: 0–5; Road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
4 2 October Adelaide L 79–110 Admiral Schofield (19) Jack McVeigh (8) Andrew Andrews (7) Cairns Convention Centre
4,213 		2–2
5 10 October Perth L 77–80 Andrew Andrews (21) Marcus Lee (12) Jack McVeigh (6) Cairns Convention Centre
3,985 		2–3
6 12 October @ Melbourne L 95–60 Alex Higgins-Titsha (16) Marcus Lee (7) Andrew Andrews (6) John Cain Arena
9,233 		2–4
7 18 October Adelaide L 86–91 Andrew Andrews (23) Galloway, Schofield (9) Andrew Andrews (7) Cairns Convention Centre
4,004 		2–5
8 22 October Perth L 78–110 Admiral Schofield (16) Kyrin Galloway (8) Reyne Smith (5) Cairns Convention Centre
3,317 		2–6
9 24 October Melbourne L 67–94 Andrews, Smith (13) Lee, Mag (10) Andrew Andrews (5) Cairns Convention Centre
3,505 		2–7
10 30 October @ Brisbane L 113–85 Jack McVeigh (23) Marcus Lee (8) Andrew Andrews (10) Brisbane Entertainment Centre
3,684 		2–8
November: 1–4 (Home: 0–3; Road: 1–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
11 1 November @ Tasmania W 69–75 Andrew Andrews (27) four players (6) Andrew Andrews (3) Silverdome
3,255 		3–8
12 7 November Illawarra L 90–107 Mojave King (32) Jack McVeigh (8) Andrews, McVeigh (8) Cairns Convention Centre
4,025 		3–9
13 14 November S.E. Melbourne L 90–101 Jack McVeigh (22) Admiral Schofield (8) Andrew Andrews (10) Cairns Convention Centre
3,567 		3–10
14 16 November @ Adelaide L 105–101 (OT) Jack McVeigh (39) Marcus Lee (9) Andrew Andrews (8) Adelaide Entertainment Centre
9,878 		3–11
15 22 November New Zealand L 96–102 Jack McVeigh (35) Jack McVeigh (7) Andrew Andrews (9) Cairns Convention Centre
3,989 		3–12
December: 1–2 (Home: 1–1; Road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
16 6 December @ Illawarra W 76–93 Andrew Andrews (27) Kyrin Galloway (14) Andrew Andrews (6) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
3,946 		4–12
17 13 December Tasmania L 68–81 Jack McVeigh (24) Jack McVeigh (8) Andrew Andrews (8) Cairns Convention Centre
3,876 		4–13
18 19 December New Zealand W 99–95 Jack McVeigh (47) Sam Waardenburg (10) Andrew Andrews (9) Cairns Convention Centre
3,749 		5–13
19 21 December @ Sydney Sydney SuperDome
 –
20 24 December @ Adelaide Adelaide Entertainment Centre
 –
21 31 December S.E. Melbourne Cairns Convention Centre
 –
January: 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
22 3 January @ Illawarra Wollongong Entertainment Centre
 –
23 7 January @ Melbourne Bendigo Stadium
 –
24 10 January Brisbane Cairns Convention Centre
 –
25 17 January New Zealand Perth Arena
 –
26 22 January @ Perth Perth Arena
 –
27 24 January @ S.E. Melbourne State Basketball Centre
 –
28 30 January Tasmania Cairns Convention Centre
 –
February: 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
29 1 February Sydney Cairns Convention Centre
 –
30 6 February @ Perth Perth Arena
 –
31 8 February @ Brisbane Brisbane Entertainment Centre
 –
32 12 February Melbourne Cairns Convention Centre
 –
33 19 February @ New Zealand Eventfinda Stadium
 –
2025–26 season schedule

NBL Ignite Cup

Main article: 2025–26 NBL Ignite Cup

The NBL introduced the new NBL Ignite Cup tournament for the 2025–26 season, with all games except the championship final counting towards the regular-season standings.[7][8]

Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD BP Pts Qualification
1 New Zealand Breakers 3 3 0 325 262 +63 9 18 Ignite Cup final
2 Perth Wildcats 3 2 1 298 272 +26 7 13
3 Tasmania JackJumpers 3 2 1 259 246 +13 6.5 12.5
4 Adelaide 36ers 2 1 1 190 182 +8 5 8
5 Brisbane Bullets 2 1 1 194 206 −12 5 8
6 Illawarra Hawks 3 1 2 280 307 −27 5 8
7 Sydney Kings 4 1 3 350 381 −31 5 8
8 Melbourne United 2 1 1 200 200 0 4 7
9 S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 1 0 1 81 89 −8 1.5 1.5
10 Cairns Taipans 1 0 1 78 110 −32 0 0
Updated to match(es) played on 17 December 2025. Source: Ignitecup.com.au


Transactions

Free agency began on 4 April 2025.[9][10]

Re-signed

Player Date Signed Contract Ref.
Alex Higgins-Titsha 25 March 2025 1-year deal [11]
Kyrin Galloway 27 March 2025 1-year deal [12]
Sam Waardenburg 29 March 2025 1-year deal [13]
Kyle Adnam 31 March 2025 1-year deal [14]

Additions

Player Date Signed Contract Former team Ref.
Jack McVeigh 5 August 2025 2-year deal (mutual option) Houston Rockets [15]
Admiral Schofield 13 August 2025 1-year deal LDLC ASVEL [16]
Ashton Hagans 13 August 2025 1-year deal Xinjiang Flying Tigers [16]
Reyne Smith 13 August 2025 2-year deal (club option) Louisville [16]
Marcus Lee 13 August 2025 1-year deal Melbourne United [16]
Mawot Mag 13 August 2025 2-year deal (club option) BYU [16]
Andrew Andrews 15 September 2025 1-year deal BC Wolves [17]
Mojave King 29 October 2025 1-year deal (IRP) New Zealand Breakers [18]

Subtractions

Player Reason left Date Left New Team Ref.
Ashton Hagans Mutual release 15 September 2025 TBC [19]

Awards

Club awards

  • Club MVP:
  • Defensive Player:
  • Players’ Player:
  • Commitment to Community:
  • Members’ Choice MVP:
  • Coaches Award:
  • Club Person of the Year:

See also

References

  1. ^ "Forde departs Taipans". NBL Official Website. 14 February 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  2. ^ Uluc, Olgun (3 June 2025). "Adam Forde to return as Cairns Taipans head coach". ESPN Australia. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  3. ^ "Blitz heads to Canberra". NBL.com.au. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Canberra back on NBL agenda with hosting of Blitz". CanberraTimes.com.au. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  5. ^ Uluc, Olgun (20 June 2025). "Storylines everywhere as NBL releases schedule for 2025-26 season". ESPN Australia. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  6. ^ Jackson, Andrew (20 June 2025). "'Personal' rivalries as 'hurt' US star, five-time MVP face former teams: NBL and WNBL Schedule". Fox Sports. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  7. ^ Uluc, Olgun (7 October 2025). "NBL Ignite Cup: Everything you need to know". ESPN Australia. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  8. ^ Shadlow, Jai (7 October 2025). "'All roads lead to Gold Coast': In-season tournament reveal adds to NBL expansion rumblings". Fox Sports. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Free agency begins April 4". NBL.com.au. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  10. ^ "NBL26 Roster Tracker: Every signing, extension and departure". NBL.com.au. 22 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Taipans take up AHT's option". Cairns Taipans | Official NBL Website. 25 March 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  12. ^ "Galloway remains a Taipan". NBL Official Website. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  13. ^ "Waardenburg committed to Cairns". Cairns Taipans | Official NBL Website. 29 March 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Veteran re-signs in Cairns". NBL Official Website. 31 March 2025. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  15. ^ "McVeigh returns to the NBL, chooses Cairns". Cairns Taipans | Official NBL Website. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  16. ^ a b c d e "Five-headed Snake: Cairns' big signing spree". NBL.com.au. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Announcing Andrew Andrews". Cairns Taipans | Official NBL Website. 15 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  18. ^ "King of the North: Former Next Star joins Taipans". NBL.com.au. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  19. ^ "Club Statement: Ashton Hagans". Cairns Taipans | Official NBL Website. 15 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
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