Star Hails “Genius” Coach

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Two months after it was initially reported that Bul Kuol was set to re-sign for the Taipans in NBL24, the former NBL Rookie of the Year was finally confirmed as returning to Cairns for the upcoming season last week.

Two months after it was initially reported that Bul Kuol was set to re-sign for the Taipans in NBL24, the former NBL Rookie of the Year was confirmed as returning to Cairns for the upcoming season last week.

There has been something of an exodus at the Taipans this free agency, with superstar talents Keanu Pinder and DJ Hogg, import guard Shannon Scott, and sparkplug shooter Ben Ayre all departing for new pastures within the competition.

Plenty of young talent has been brought in to replace the departing stars, and Kuol says returning to Cairns was not a difficult decision.

“Cairns was a serious option,” Kuol said. “I have a lot of love for Cairns, love for Fordey. So long as they’re in, it made things interesting. It wasn’t much of a difficult option.

“He (Forde) is my guy, he’s the Coach of the Year, he’s the supreme leader of the factory.

“He’s a genius. Whatever he wants me to do, I’ll do for him.”

Following a remarkable first two campaigns in the NBL, Kuol took his talents to France this NBL off-season with Le Mans.

His team finished the regular season in sixth position on the table, where it suffered an unfortunate elimination in the first round of the playoffs to Lyon.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Quick 8?? points for Bul Kuol ?<br><br>Watch live and free on 10 Peach and 10 play | Live on ESPN2 via Kayo Sports + Foxtel ? <a href="https://t.co/A3DI8WQU5G">pic.twitter.com/A3DI8WQU5G</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1614467476779307010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Overall, Kuol appeared in 11 games for Le Mans, and while he wasn't satisfied with how he performed on the court, is proud of the opportunity to grow playing overseas.

“There were a lot of factors at play while I was there that made things difficult,” he said. “But I feel like God put me in that different situation and out of my comfort zone.

“While I didn’t produce or do my job to my expectations or their expectations, I feel like I grew a lot … I’m super thankful for that time I had in France.”

Now Kuol is back in Cairns though, and Forde believes the commitment of the young star proves the program is headed in the right direction.

“I appreciate how Bul took his time with this,” Forde added.

“He wanted to explore his option and see what was available, and we encouraged him to enter that free agency process.

“It’s obviously amazing to get to have Bul back with us for another season … his decision to come back to Cairns as his preferred destination provides us with a lot of confidence about the direction we’re going in.”

Kuol has joined Tahjere McCall, Taran Armstrong, Sam Mennenga, Sam Waardenburg, AK Gak, Lat Mayen, Jonah Antonio and newly announced Next Star Bobi Klintman on the Taipans’ roster for NBL24.