NBA prospect Luke Paul's "really easy" decision to sign with NBL strugglers the Cairns Taipans can be traced back to a chance meeting with coach Adam Forde two years ago.
At 16 years, 10 months and 29 days old, Paul last year became the youngest player to sign with the NBL's Next Stars program, designed to prepare elite talent for the NBA draft.
LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey and Alex Sarr are among the 11 players to be drafted directly into the NBA from the program since its inception in 2020.
Now 17, point guard Paul made waves as MVP of the Under 16 Asia Cup last year and sat down with NBL officials in Perth to agree to a two-year deal shortly thereafter.
