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The Cairns Taipans have endured a mixed week, with prized NBL Next Star Luke Paul suffering an injury setback, while the club is signing a former Tasmania JackJumpers development player Walter Brown.<\/p>\n
All of this and more in the latest edition of NBL Daily.<\/b><\/p>\n
Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n NEXT STAR LUKE PAUL SUFFERS INJURY SETBACK<\/b><\/p>\n Cairns Taipans Next Star Luke Paul has sustained an ankle injury during a training session, with CODE Sports<\/a> reporting the future star could be sidelined for up to two months.<\/p>\n The 17-year-old was expected to make his NBL debut when the Taipans open their season against the Sydney Kings on September 20. While the current prognosis casts doubt over his availability, there is still more than a month until tip-off, giving both Paul and the club time to assess his recovery before making any decisions.<\/p>\n Paul\u2019s injury comes just weeks after helping Australia claim the bronze medal at the FIBA Under-17 World Cup in T\u00fcrkiye<\/a>, where the Crocs defeated the host nation 77-69 in the third-place playoff.<\/p>\n NBL Daily: Two-time champ returns to Perth; Kings land big man as Europe beckons for free agent<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n The talented guard was one of Australia\u2019s standout performers throughout the tournament, averaging 15.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. While he also averaged 4.7 turnovers, a reflection of his inexperience at the international level, the 17-year-old\u2019s talent and upside are undeniable. Like most young prospects, there are areas of his game that will continue to develop with experience.<\/p>\n Paul signed a two-year deal with the Taipans through<\/a> the NBL\u2019s Next Stars program, hoping to follow the path to the NBA forged by players such as LaMelo Ball, Ousmane Dieng, Josh Giddey and Alexandre Sarr.<\/p>\n For now, Cairns is expected to take a cautious approach with one of its most valuable young assets, with the hope Paul can return as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n FORMER JACKJUMPER SET TO JOIN TAIPANS<\/b><\/p>\n The Taipans are also set to strengthen their roster, with sources telling Fox Sports Australia <\/i>the club has agreed to terms with former Tasmania JackJumpers development player Walter Brown.<\/p>\n The 6\u20195\u201d forward arrives after spending last season at UNLV, following three years with the JackJumpers between 2022 and 2025, where he appeared in 20 NBL games.<\/p>\n In his lone collegiate season at UNLV, Brown played 27 games and averaged 4.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 22.1 minutes per game, while shooting 44.2% from the field.<\/p>\n Brown has also built an impressive resum\u00e9 in New Zealand during the NBL off-season. Most recently, he starred for the Canterbury Rams, averaging 18.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.6% from the field.<\/p>\n