Taipans sign Ubaka, re-sign Williams

The Skytrans Cairns Taipans has shored up its floor generals for the 2010/11 National Basketball League season with the signing of American import Ayinde Ubaka and re-signing of Far North fan favourite Kerry Williams.

Ubaka, 25, a 195cm scoring point guard, was one of the import finds of the 2009-10 seasons, averaging 16.3 points and 4.2 assists a game shooting at 45% from the floor, 45% of three pointers and 90% from the free-throw line with the Gold Coast Blaze.

He topped 20 points in five games last season culminating in a season-high of 28 against Wollongong. He only scored under 10 points in one of his 22 games for the Blaze in 2009-10.

Skytrans Taipans coach Aaron Fearne said Ubaka was an exciting acquisition with his scoring ability and on-court leadership skills.

“Ayinde will bring a high level of skill and play making ability to this team which will add another dimension to our system," Fearne said.

Williams had a big 2009-10 culminating in him being a part of the Australian Boomers program and playing a key role in the point guard position for the Skytrans Taipans.

He averaged six points, two rebounds and two assists in 2009-10 with a season-high 15 points against grand finalists Wollongong in December.

Williams’ value to the Skytrans Taipans is not just on the basketball court. The 23-year-old is a popular role model for young indigenous people and is always willing to give back to the community through school visits and coaching clinics. He has travelled throughout the Far North and represented the Taipans in visits to places such as Alice Springs, Mt Isa and Cape York, among others, in recent times.

Fearne is looking forward to Williams continuing to improve in the 2010-11 season.

"Kerry did an outstanding job last season running our team the 2nd half of the season and made some very good improvements but for his game to continue to grow he needs to improve his shooting which he is working very hard on at the moment," he said.

"I am very excited to have Ayinde and Kerry playing on this team this season both have outstanding ball handling and play making abilities which I see both of them been a great combination," said Fearne.

The Taipans would also like to remind fans who pledged season tickets for the upcoming season are now able to purchase their tickets by contacting Ashley or Karina at the Skytrans Cairns Taipans Office on Aumuller Street - (07) 4041 3000.