Bruce chases almighty Cairns comeback

20 Jun 2026

cairns taipans

Upon his return to Cairns, three-time NBL champion Shaun Bruce wants to help the Taipans return to their winning ways.

By

NBL.com.au

This off-season has been one of change for the Cairns Taipans, as the club looks to return to post-season hoops.

As it stands, the only two players returning from last season are Australian Boomers Jack McVeigh and Reyne Smith, as well as Head Coach Adam Forde.

Apart from that, the Taipans appear set to have a revamped roster, as they attempt to reach the Finals for the first time since NBL23.

One of those new pieces is exciting NBL Next Star Luke Paul, who is the program’s youngest-ever player.

Another is three-time NBL champion Shaun Bruce, who returns to the club where his NBL journey started back in 2012-13.

This move comes after the 35-year-old’s incredible stint in Sydney, where he became the second-most capped King (219 games).

“The conversations with me leaving weren't with Goorj [Brian Goorjian] in the end, rather being delivered by Luc Longley (Kings co-owner and special advisor), who I’d been with my entire time in Sydney,” Bruce said on NBL Now.

“He explained they were going in a different direction, and there wasn't much more than that, which allowed both parties to move on, because Free Agency comes around quick.

“You go from winning, and then all of a sudden you're kind of having conversations with all the other teams around the League.

“[Upon reflection] I was lucky to be in a place and club for so long. To have so many great people be a part of the journey there, was really special.

“But when Free Agency started, I spoke to some different teams, and in the end, obviously, I'd played for Fordey (Adam Forde) before. We got in touch with one another and just seemed like the right fit.”

While the Taipans finished the campaign with a 9-24 record last season, Bruce is embracing the challenge of helping turn the Far North Queensland franchise around.

“Obviously, I’ve been there before, and have been part of successful Cairns teams,” he said.

“It’s going to be a challenge, after only winning nine games last season, but we always see a Taipans team make a serious push every three or four years and I’d love to be part of one of those again.

“Coming from a successful program in the Kings and joining a team that's kind of struggled with consistency over the last few years, it's something that I will look to bring and hopefully can have an impact.

“We want to be a team you can be proud of. We want to be that gritty, underdog Cairns team that competes every night.”

Bruce’s Taipans open their NBL27 campaign in Sydney against his former team on Sunday, September 20.