Players
Sam Waardenburg
Sam Waardenburg
2024 Averages
14.8
PPG
3.3
APG
6.9
RPG
49
FG%
Biography
The big Kiwi has made a home for himself in the Tropical Far North and is now coming into a third season with the Cairns Taipans looking to lead the way with his combination of size and versatility.
The 6'10 25-year-old grew up in Auckland and after being MVP for Rangitoto when they won the SAS Secondary Schools National Championship, began his journey at the University of Miami which was a great success both in terms of basketball and academically.
The best of his four seasons with the Hurricanes was as a sixth year redshirt senior when he delivered 8.5 points and 4.3 rebounds a game while shooting the three ball at 41.8 per cent and going at 52.8 overall from the field.
Also earned his bachelor's degree majoring in geography with a minor in sociology before adding a master's in sports administration and undertaking a second master's in liberal studies.
Started his professional career in the NBL with Cairns and was tremendous winning the Next Gen Award in NBL23 on the back of averaging 11.3 points and 5.6 rebounds while proving himself a terrific shooter for someone at his size and position.
Backed that up with another 9.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in almost 27 minutes a game in NBL24 as he now prepares to go up a gear again in this third season with the Snakes.