SW adds new sting to Taipans

National Basketball League side the Cairns Taipans has an even bigger South West presence, with former Melbourne United captain Mark Worthington joining the club on a two-year deal.

Worthington joins fellow Bunbury-raised NBL player Cameron Gliddon at the Taipans, who, under the leadership of Gliddon, made this year’s final.

The 32-year-old is a dual Olympian (2008 and 2012) and has played 280 NBL games in his nine-year career.

The versatile 203cm forward won last year’s MVP at Melbourne United after averaging 12.6 points per game, ranking fourth in the NBL with 7.2 rebounds and eighth with 1.1 steals.

Worthington boasts a 15-point, six-rebound average in his nine-year NBL career, in addition to Olympic campaigns with the Australian Boomers in 2008 and 2012.

Taipans chief executive officer Mark Beecroft said Worthington’s vast national and international experience and competitive drive would quickly turn him into a local fan favourite.

“Mark is a big-time competitor. He has a thirst to win and can play at both ends of the floor in multiple positions, ” he said.

Worthington said all he wanted to do was win another championship and he hoped he was the missing piece for the Taipans’ campaign.