2025–26 Cairns Taipans season

2025–26 Cairns Taipans season
Head coach Adam Forde
Captain Sam Waardenburg
ArenaCairns Convention Centre
NBL results
Record9–24 (27.3%)
Ladder9th
Finals finishDid not qualify
Stats at NBL.com.au
Ignite Cup results
Record1–3 (25%)
Ladder10th
Ignite Cup finishDid not qualify
All statistics correct as of 20 February 2026.

The 2025–26 Cairns Taipans season was 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: 12 February 2026

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 Marcus Lee (I) Jed Richardson (DP) Sam Waardenburg

Standings

Ladder

Pos 2025–26 NBL season
Team Pld W L PCT Last 5 Streak Home Away PF PA PP
1 Sydney Kings 33 24 9 72.73% 5–0 W11 13–4 11–5 3276 2879 113.79%
2 Adelaide 36ers 33 23 10 69.70% 2–3 L1 12–5 11–5 3042 2890 105.26%
3 S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 33 22 11 66.67% 3–2 L1 11–5 11–6 3324 3061 108.59%
4 Perth Wildcats 33 21 12 63.64% 4–1 W1 10–7 11–5 2996 2840 105.49%
5 Melbourne United 33 20 13 60.61% 2–3 W1 11–6 9–7 3041 2905 104.68%
6 Tasmania JackJumpers 33 14 19 42.42% 2–3 L2 6–10 8–9 2873 2884 99.62%
7 New Zealand Breakers 33 13 20 39.39% 2–3 W1 7–9 6–11 3022 3058 98.82%
8 Illawarra Hawks 33 13 20 39.39% 3–2 W2 7–9 6–11 3074 3205 95.91%
9 Cairns Taipans 33 9 24 27.27% 1–4 L2 4–13 5–11 2754 3194 86.22%
10 Brisbane Bullets 33 6 27 18.18% 0–5 L13 2–14 4–13 2710 3196 84.79%

Updated to match(es) played on 20 February 2026. 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—212233322111111111122
Brisbane Bullets37897777889999910101010101010
Cairns Taipans7477810910101010101010109999999
Illawarra Hawks—99810810879888878878888
Melbourne United2121111111223234444555
New Zealand Breakers6101010998997677787787777
Perth Wildcats5643655554455555555444
S.E. Melbourne Phoenix1564322233332422223333
Sydney Kings—856564445544343332211
Tasmania JackJumpers4335446666766666666666
Updated to match(es) played on 20 February 2026. 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: 9–24 (Home: 4–13; Road: 5–11)
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: 1–5 (Home: 1–2; Road: 0–3)
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 L 119–77 Andrews, Stattmann (14) Marcus Lee (6) Andrew Andrews (9) Sydney SuperDome
9,124 		5–14
20 24 December @ Adelaide L 93–73 Sam Waardenburg (19) five players (5) Andrew Andrews (6) Adelaide Entertainment Centre
10,006 		5–15
21 31 December S.E. Melbourne L 96–111 Jack McVeigh (26) Andrew Andrews (7) Andrew Andrews (9) Cairns Convention Centre
4,870 		5–16
January: 3–4 (Home: 2–1; Road: 1–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
22 3 January @ Illawarra L 96–78 Sam Waardenburg (17) Kyrin Galloway (9) Andrew Andrews (6) Wollongong Entertainment Centre
4,921 		5–17
23 7 January @ Melbourne W 92–93 McVeigh, Waardenburg (20) McVeigh, Waardenburg (9) Andrew Andrews (13) Bendigo Stadium
4,003 		6–17
24 12 January Brisbane W 88–83 Jack McVeigh (25) Jack McVeigh (6) Andrew Andrews (13) Cairns Convention Centre[7]
3,872 		7–17
25 17 January New Zealand L 86–104 King, Schofield (19) Jack McVeigh (8) Jack McVeigh (8) Perth Arena
7,034 		7–18
26 22 January @ Perth L 106–69 Jack McVeigh (34) three players (4) Andrew Andrews (8) Perth Arena
11,377 		7–19
27 24 January @ S.E. Melbourne L 118–91 Jack McVeigh (21) Mojave King (8) Andrew Andrews (11) State Basketball Centre
3,422 		7–20
28 30 January Tasmania W 96–93 (OT) Jack McVeigh (40) Marcus Lee (10) Kyle Adnam (4) Cairns Convention Centre
3,862 		8–20
February: 1–4 (Home: 0–2; Road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
29 1 February Sydney L 92–106 Lachlan Barker (18) Mojave King (9) Andrew Andrews (10) Cairns Convention Centre
4,002 		8–21
30 6 February @ Perth L 98–84 Andrew Andrews (25) Mojave King (8) Andrew Andrews (7) Perth Arena
11,161 		8–22
31 8 February @ Brisbane W 72–81 Jack McVeigh (22) Mojave King (11) Andrew Andrews (10) Brisbane Entertainment Centre
5,443 		9–22
32 12 February Melbourne L 85–89 Jack McVeigh (25) Andrew Andrews (9) Andrew Andrews (7) Cairns Convention Centre
3,650 		9–23
33 19 February @ New Zealand L 115–84 Andrew Andrews (24) Jack McVeigh (7) Andrew Andrews (7) Eventfinda Stadium
1,791 		9–24
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.[8][9]

Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PP BP Pts Qualification
1 Adelaide 36ers 4 3 1 390 329 118.5 12 21 Ignite Cup final
2 New Zealand Breakers 4 3 1 441 385 114.5 11 20
3 Perth Wildcats 4 3 1 399 365 109.3 9.5 18.5
4 Melbourne United 4 2 2 390 359 108.6 9.5 15.5
5 Tasmania JackJumpers 4 2 2 349 338 103.3 8.5 14.5
6 S.E. Melbourne Phoenix 4 2 2 408 402 101.5 8 14
7 Illawarra Hawks 4 2 2 372 397 93.7 7 13
8 Brisbane Bullets 4 1 3 334 411 81.3 6 9
9 Sydney Kings 4 1 3 350 381 91.9 5 8
10 Cairns Taipans 4 1 3 340 406 83.7 3.5 6.5
Updated to match(es) played on 28 January 2026. Source: Ignitecup.com.au


Transactions

Free agency began on 4 April 2025.[10][11]

Re-signed

Player Date Signed Contract Ref.
Alex Higgins-Titsha 25 March 2025 1-year deal [12]
Kyrin Galloway 27 March 2025 1-year deal [13]
Sam Waardenburg 29 March 2025 1-year deal [14]
Kyle Adnam 31 March 2025 1-year deal [15]

Additions

Player Date Signed Contract Former team Ref.
Jack McVeigh 5 August 2025 2-year deal (mutual option) Houston Rockets [16]
Admiral Schofield 13 August 2025 1-year deal LDLC ASVEL [17]
Ashton Hagans 13 August 2025 1-year deal Xinjiang Flying Tigers [17]
Reyne Smith 13 August 2025 2-year deal (club option) Louisville [17]
Marcus Lee 13 August 2025 1-year deal Melbourne United [17]
Mawot Mag 13 August 2025 2-year deal (club option) BYU [17]
Andrew Andrews 15 September 2025 1-year deal BC Wolves [18]
Mojave King 29 October 2025 1-year deal (IRP) New Zealand Breakers [19]

Subtractions

Player Reason left Date Left New Team Ref.
Ashton Hagans Mutual release 15 September 2025 TBC [20]

Awards

Club awards

  • Club MVP: Jack McVeigh
  • Defensive Player: Kyrin Galloway
  • Players’ Player: Andrew Andrews
  • Members’ Choice MVP: Jack McVeigh
  • Coaches Award: Lachlan Barker
  • Commitment to Community: Jed Richardson
  • Club Person of the Year: John Richardson

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. ^ "NBL confirms rescheduled Taipans-Bullets clash". ESPN Australia. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  8. ^ Uluc, Olgun (7 October 2025). "NBL Ignite Cup: Everything you need to know". ESPN Australia. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Free agency begins April 4". NBL.com.au. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  11. ^ "NBL26 Roster Tracker: Every signing, extension and departure". NBL.com.au. 22 June 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Taipans take up AHT's option". Cairns Taipans | Official NBL Website. 25 March 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  13. ^ "Galloway remains a Taipan". NBL Official Website. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  14. ^ "Waardenburg committed to Cairns". Cairns Taipans | Official NBL Website. 29 March 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Veteran re-signs in Cairns". NBL Official Website. 31 March 2025. Retrieved 31 March 2025.
  16. ^ "McVeigh returns to the NBL, chooses Cairns". Cairns Taipans | Official NBL Website. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  17. ^ a b c d e "Five-headed Snake: Cairns' big signing spree". NBL.com.au. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  18. ^ "Announcing Andrew Andrews". Cairns Taipans | Official NBL Website. 15 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  19. ^ "King of the North: Former Next Star joins Taipans". NBL.com.au. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
  20. ^ "Club Statement: Ashton Hagans". Cairns Taipans | Official NBL Website. 15 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
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