Basketball: Tall Black Jordan Ngatai signs ANBL deal with Cairns Taipans

One of the stars of the recently completed New Zealand NBL has been snapped up by Australian NBL powerhouse Cairns Taipans.

Tall Black Jordan Ngatai was a key figure in the Otago Nuggets' stunning national title win, forming a dynamic backcourt alongside point guard Jarrod Kenny.

The Taipans are set to benefit from that partnership, adding Ngatai on Friday, after earlier re-signing Kenny, who has spent the last two seasons in North Queensland.

Twenty-seven-year-old Ngatai has previous ANBL experience with NZ Breakers, but this will be his first venture with an Australian club.

Ngatai and Kenny will likely form an exciting back-up guard combination for the Taipans, playing behind Australian duo Mojave King and Mirko Deric.

The Wellingtonian backed up his No.1 draft pick status during the domestic competition, scoring 18.2 points per game, with 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists during the Nuggets' run to a championship crown. 

He had previously won three NBL titles with Wellington Saints.