GordonG47
Years ago
Machado Confirmed for Taipans
CAIRNS CONFIRM SIGNING OF
LA'S SCOTT MACHADO
The CQUniversity Cairns Taipans are excited to confirm the signing of SCOTT MACHADO with the Brazilian American point guard signing up for a season in Cairns after a stint with the LA Lakers and playing for their G-League side the South Bay Lakers the past two years.
The 29-year old has been described as the "heart and soul" of the SB Lakers, leading them to the G-League playoffs in 2017-18 and last season averaging 16.4 points in 45 games, as well as 8.0 assists to rank second in the G-League overall.
In the previous three games leading up to his contract with the LA Lakers this January, Machado managed an imposing average of 25 points, 14.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds for three consecutive wins.
His recent LA signing was his second 10-day NBA contract, having inked a contract with the Golden State Warriors in 2013 after also suiting up for the Houston Rockets in 2012.
Throughout his career he has represented a number of NBA affiliate teams, including the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Santa Cruz Warriors and Idaho Stampede; and has earned five NBA Summer League opportunities and two training camps.
The basketball journeyman also boasts international experience, playing in France, Estonia, Germany, Spain and has represented the Brazilian national team multiple times, most recently at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Americas Qualifiers.
Taipans Head Coach Mike Kelly said that NBA-calibre guard boasts the skill set and experience to be a standout in the NBL this year, and he couldn't wait for him to get to Cairns.
“This is really exciting - Scott has had an impressive pro career so far and has been great in our conversations. He’s obviously got a lot of experience with different clubs in different countries, and he’s shown to involve his team mates in every situation. He’s a good floor general and has a defensive toughness that will be really important for him against the great point guards we have in our league,” he said.
“He’s been right there, right on the fringe of the Association for many years. For Scott, I think it’s all coming down to the opportunity and being in the right place at the right time. But, he’s physically in his prime and is extremely talented – he will come in and help us this year and then still have a chance head over to the NBA or another league towards the end of their season.”
Machado graduated from Iona College in 2012 and is one of the most decorated players in the school’s history – holding the record of career assists (880) which still ranks 17th in the NCAA. He set a number of records throughout his four years with the Gaels, including the rookie record for 150 assists as a freshman, the school record for assists in the first game of the season as a senior and after emerging as one of the top point guards in the country, was a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award.
Scott Machado is the second import signing for the Taipans this season, and joins Cameron Oliver, Nate Jawai, Kouat Noi, Majok Deng, Jarrod Kenny, Mirko Djeric and Fabijan Krslovic on the roster.
Additional signings – including one more import player – will be announced next week.
Happy with that...
