BIO: Lat Mayen was born in Adelaide (SA) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Sturt basketball program. where he attended 94. Mayen received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2016. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2016, 2017).

NBL EXPERIENCE

Lat Mayen made his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans at 24 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Adam Forde’s first season as head coach did not deliver much on-court success for the Taipans, finishing in last place, but it laid a strong foundation for one of the team’s best seasons in NBL23. The club brought back key players like Tahjere McCall, Majok Deng, and the league’s Most Improved Player, Keanu Pinder.

Several significant departures, including Kouat Noi and Nathan Jawai, meant that Forde needed to refresh the roster. Along with other new recruits, promising big man Lat Mayen and fellow college graduate Jonah Antonio were signed on multi-year deals. Cairns, boasting the youngest roster in the league, surprised everyone with some impressive early-season victories.

Cairns started the season strongly, securing wins over Tasmania, South East Melbourne, and reigning champions Sydney, going on a 5-1 run. Mayen, however, saw limited playing time during the season, appearing in 16 games and averaging 2.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.1 assists as Cairns finished third with an 18-10 record.

During the playoffs, Cairns fought hard despite missing key players like Pinder, but they fell short in the semifinals against Sydney. Mayen played a minor role in the Taipans’ campaign, contributing when called upon, but remained mostly on the bench.

2023/24
In his second season with the Taipans, Lat Mayen took on a larger role, becoming a key part of the team’s rotation. He averaged 6.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.6 assists over the course of the season, helping the team compete. Although Cairns finished eighth with a 12-16 record, Mayen’s development and increased contributions on both ends of the floor were a bright spot for the team.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2024/25
Adelaide entered the 2024/25 season with a revamped roster following the departure of key players. Mitch McCarron (to New Zealand), Trentyn Flowers (to the NBA), Jacob Wiley (to Spain), Tohi Smith-Milner (to Brisbane), Kyrin Galloway (to Cairns), Trey Kell III (to Illawarra), and Akech Aliir (to Melbourne) all moved on, prompting a significant refresh.

To stabilise the squad, the 36ers retained Dejan Vasiljevic on a new three-year deal and elevated him to captain. Isaac Humphries also re-signed for three years, while Fiston Ipassou, Keanu Rasmussen, and Jacob Rigoni returned on short-term deals. Adelaide then added Kendric Davis, Lat Mayen (via Cairns), Ben Griscti (via NCAA), and Patrick D’Arcy. Later, ex-NBA forward Jarell Martin and former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell rounded out the rotation.

Lat Mayen (5.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists) featured in all 28 games and became a valuable contributor at both ends. Initially used off the bench, Mayen was promoted to the starting lineup in January and delivered reliable minutes as a stretch forward. He shot the ball efficiently from long range, provided energy on the glass, and gave the 36ers added length on defense. His best game came in the season opener against Sydney on September 22, where he posted 23 points (9-11 FG, 3-3 3PT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in just 23 minutes. On January 10 against Tasmania, he grabbed a season-high 9 rebounds with 5 points and 2 assists, while on February 7 against Perth, he added 13 points (4-5 FG, 3-4 3PT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks. His growth earned consistent minutes during Adelaide’s mid-season push.

The team began the year with back-to-back losses, including a 94–102 defeat to Sydney. They bounced back in early October, winning five of their next six games. That stretch included a 93–83 win over South East Melbourne and a thrilling 102–100 victory against Illawarra where Davis hit the go-ahead three. By late October, Adelaide held a 5–3 record and looked like a playoff threat.

However, November and December brought a slump. Adelaide lost seven of eight games and fell to 7–11. Harrell and Davis were suspended following a November 17 incident against Melbourne, and the team struggled defensively during their absence. Despite Davis’s 37 points against Perth and a 36-point effort against New Zealand, Adelaide couldn’t regain its early rhythm. Mayen, however, was inserted into the starting group to improve spacing and rebounding, a move praised by coach Mike Wells.

January marked a turnaround. With a full-strength lineup, the 36ers defeated second-place Melbourne United 100–81 and went 6–2 across a key stretch. Mayen continued to perform his role effectively, particularly in a 99–75 blowout win in Cairns and a 91–88 home victory against Illawarra. Adelaide climbed back to a 13–13 record before closing the season with three straight losses.

The 36ers finished the regular season at 13–15, earning sixth place and a play-in berth. They went 9–6 at home and 4–10 on the road, averaging 97.9 points per game but conceding 2796. In the play-in opener, Adelaide upset Sydney 95–88 behind 25 points from Vasiljevic and 14 rebounds and 7 assists from Harrell. The run ended with a 75–85 loss to South East Melbourne, with Davis scoring 26.

Lat Mayen’s progress across the season earned him the club’s Most Improved Player award. His leap from a fringe contributor in Cairns to a 28-game starter in Adelaide highlighted his development as a capable role player. He provided solid perimeter shooting, defended multiple positions, and brought consistent energy on both ends of the court.

Adelaide’s key contributors were led by Kendric Davis (25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.8 assists), who paced the league in both scoring and assists while earning All-NBL First Team honours. Montrezl Harrell (20.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) dominated inside and was named to the All-NBL Second Team. Dejan Vasiljevic (18.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists) was lethal from deep and led the team to a play-in win over Sydney. Sunday Dech (5.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists) claimed Best Defensive Player, Jason Cadee won the Coaches’ Award

Lat Mayen currently plays for the Perth Wildcats and has played 99 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 4.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.4 assists since entering the league in 2022.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Perth Wildcats – 2 Year Deal
2nd Year Team Option