Shaun Bruce supported by Cameron Tragardh for an NBL return

Bruce has been training with the Taipans all season in hope of earning a call-up to Australia’s premier basketball league. 

A spot opened up on the Taipans roster in mid-December with an injury to star player Dexter Kernich-Drew. 

Former Taipans player Cam Tragardh told Nine News Central Queensland that signing Bruce to cover for Kernich-Drew was an obvious move.

“They should’ve signed him yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that,” Tragardh said.

“It would be a great fit for the Taipans to sign Shaun, he was their grand final back-up for the team when they were minor premiers.”

The Taipans currently languish at the bottom of the NBL ladder with just one win from their first 14 games. Tragardh said they need to try something to turn their season around.

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“They need to show your fans and your corporate sponsors something, that you’re doing everything you can,” Tragardh said.

But Taipans coach Mike Kelly said the team was not going to rush into a decision. 

“We don’t have any plans at the moment to just say yes, we’re bringing you into the eleven,” Kelly told 7 News Cairns.

“But we’re just continuing that discussion.”

Bruce also signed for the Rockhampton Rockets in the Queensland Basketball League for the 2019 season.

Bruce last played for the Mackay Meteors in the QBL in 2017, leading the team to the grand final series and winning the league’s Most Valuable Player award.

Rockets coach Neal Tweedy said Bruce’s talent and basketball IQ would be an excellent addition to the team.

“He’s probably the best there is in the league we feel,” Tweedy told Nine News Central Queensland. 

“He’s probably an extension of the coach on the floor.

“We felt like he was the perfect player for our program.”