Cairns Factory Continues Build

Adam Forde has an incredible record of developing young talent and his reputation just continues to grow. 

The Cairns Taipans beat out several other clubs to secure the signature of Sam Mennenga, and the rising New Zealander will no doubt be hoping to follow the path of fellow countryman Sam Waardenburg, and stars Bul Kuol and Keanu Pinder in taking their game to a new level under Forde’s tutelage. 

“We talk about Bul Kuol who came in as a relative unknown and he was Rookie of the Year under Adam Forde and developed into one of the most sought-after three-and-D guys in the NBL,” ESPN Insider Olgun Uluc said on The Marketplace.  

“Keanu Pinder is a perfect example of his (Forde's) ability to develop players, and player development is something he holds hit hat on.

“He did it with Sam Waardenburg, not just how good he was able to be throughout the season – the difference between his first half of the season and second half, his growth was pretty immense. 

“If you’re a Sam Mennenga and you see what Adam Forde did with Sam Waardenburg and Keanu Pinder, that’s obviously a system you want to jump right into and be a part of.” 

Mennenga joins the Taipans after three seasons with the North Carolina-based Davidson College in the NCAA, signing a two-year deal with the club. 

He experienced a breakout 2022-23 season with the Wildcats and averaged 15.2 points at over 50 per cent from the field and 6.7 rebounds, across 32 games.

Mennenga also represented New Zealand at the 2022 FIBA Asia Games.

“He was a priority signing for Adam Forde. As soon as ‘Fordey’ saw him, he knew that was someone he wanted on his roster,” Uluc added.  

“You can see him playing alongside Sam Waardenburg, and a potential New Zealand Tall Blacks front-court of the future.

“There’s a sense that they’re so high on him that those minutes may be really significant early on. That’s the extent that Fordey really wanted Mennenga’s signature.” 

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