New opportunity beckoning for high-potential guard?

Jackson Makoi established himself as a future star of the Sydney Kings during his first season as a development player in NBL22, however a severe knee injury put pay to his rookie campaign. Now the South Sudanese guard is reportedly heading to the Cairns Taipans to breathe new life into his career.

Makoi was integral in South Sudan’s World Cup qualifying campaign, and will likely be chasing a spot on the nation’s Olympic roster in the coming months.

The Kings had also confirmed the mutual termination of his contract ahead of this season so he could explore new opportunities.

“Jackson Makoi has signed a one-year deal with the Cairns Taipans,” Uluc reported on The Marketplace.

“He was set to be elevated to a roster spot with the Sydney Kings this season, they agreed to a mutual release so he could go and test the waters and test his value elsewhere.

The Cairns Taipans were a team who were intrigued in his skillset as a bigger 6’5”, 6’6” point guard type player, with a really intriguing play style too.

“He is a guy who gets his head down, head on the rim, and he’s a really interesting piece. I can see him as a backup point guard type for the Taipans.”

Makoi played just once for the Kings in NBL24 as he looked to return from the severe knee injury suffered in his rookie campaign, and Derek Rucker is excited about the opportunity the young guard is set to receive.

“I like the flashes I saw two years ago before he sustained that injury. There’s a talent there, and this is a bit of a watershed moment for him and an opportunity.

“It’s a great chance up in Cairns to get out and play.”