Taipans sign explosive guard as first import

The Cairns Taipans announced on Friday that point guard Jaylon Brown has signed a one-year deal with the club.

The 183cm American joins the Taipans for his 10th professional season, bringing experience from playing in Turkey, China, Germany, Spain, Finland and North Macedonia.

Most recently suiting up for Petkim Spor, the 31-year-old has played 130 games in the Basketbol Super Ligi, including appearances in the Europe Cup and Champions League.

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde said his first import signing is the perfect fit for his new-look team.

"Jaylon brings so much experience playing in the top-tier leagues in Europe that I feel so confident his game will translate well over into the NBL," Brown said.

"It was important we took our time finding the right fit for our point guard, and we definitely feel like we found it with Jaylon.

"He is such a dynamic scorer and playmaker, but more importantly, he plays at a pace and speed we want to thrive in again.

"He operates so well in the open court and pick-and-roll that guys like Keanu [Pinder] and Jack [McVeigh] will have so many options available to them - as will Jaylon."

Born and raised in Indiana, Brown earned All-State honours in high school and became one of the top point guards in his conference playing for the University of Evansville.

In his junior year, he was named to the Missouri Valley Conference's Most Improved Team and started in all games as a senior, averaging 20.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

Brown began his career with North Macedonian club KK Karpoš Sokoli in 2017, before moving to Finland the following year.

Appearing in 27 games for Salon Vilpas, he averaged 15.5 points, 3.4 assists and 2.9 rebounds and took them to the Grand Final.

Bilbao was his next destination, signing a two-year deal in Spain that saw him steer the Spanish side from second division to first.

His contract in Spain was extended in 2020 before he joined Hamburg Towers in 2021.

Now a proven scorer and facilitator across Europe, he relocated to Turkey in 2022, where he spent the following four seasons, taking a break with a 12-game stint in China last year.

As Brown commits to his first club outside of Europe and Asia, he joins McVeigh, Pinder, Jonah Bolden, Sunday Dech, Reyne Smith, Kyrin Galloway, Shaun Bruce and Luke Paul on the Taipans' NBL27 roster.

The Taipans' season begins on September 20 against the Sydney Kings at Afterpay Arena.