Reyne Smith is one of the top young Australian talents, set to take to the NBL after an impressive collegiate career.
A dead-eye three-point shooter, Smith is currently playing for the Boomers at the FIBA Asia Cup, and will then join Cairns for the upcoming season.
But the Taipans were not the first NBL team to be interested in Smith's talent, with the Tasmania JackJumpers reportedly interested in the sharpshooter, before opting to pass on him for one reason.
Why NBL team passed on rising Australian talent Reyne Smith
The Tasmania JackJumpers passed on Reyne Smith this off-season, opting not to bring in the Ulverstone product according to coach Scott Roth.
The former championship coach said that the team had initially tabled an offer to Smith, but ultimately decided that he did not fit their timeline.
"At that point he wanted to wait a few more months to go through everything from College to try-outs to NBA things to Summer League," Roth said.
"We weren't willing to wait."
Instead, Smith now heads north to join the Taipans, alongside former JackJumpers star Jack McVeigh, who reportedly signed a two-year, $2 million contract with the team.
"We got a nice buyout from Jack to say goodbye and thank you, and Jack's earned the right to go on and play wherever he wants to go play and make as much money as he has," Roth said.
Before the pair pull on the Taipans threads, they will look to claim an Asia Cup title for Australia, teammates on the Boomers unit currently through to the semifinals in Saudi Arabia.