BIO: Sam Waardenburg was born and raised in Auckland (NZ) where he attended Rangitoto School.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Sam Waardenburg made his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans at 23 years of age. He scored four points in his first game.

After being one of the most sought-after NBL rookies, Sam Waardenburg signed a three-year deal with the Cairns Taipans ahead of the 2022/23 season, enticed by the promise of a starting role from head coach Adam Forde. The Taipans, coming off a disappointing season, retained key players such as leading scorer Tahjere McCall, Majok Deng, Bul Kuol, Mirko Djeric, and reigning Most Improved Player Keanu Pinder, while adding Waardenburg and fellow recruits Lat Mayen and Jonah Antonio to their youthful roster.

Cairns defied pre-season predictions of a last-place finish by opening the season with an impressive 5-1 record, including victories over Tasmania (106-84), South East Melbourne (85-76), and reigning champions Sydney (83-78). Their only loss in that stretch came against Perth (76-105). Waardenburg quickly became an integral part of the team, showcasing his ability to impact both ends of the floor.

One of the season’s standout performances came against Melbourne United, where Cairns outscored their opponents 11-1 in the final four minutes to secure an 81-77 win, moving into second place on the ladder. Waardenburg played a pivotal role throughout the season, combining with teammates like DJ Hogg and Keanu Pinder to establish Cairns as one of the league’s surprise contenders.

Cairns consistently disrupted opponents’ momentum, snapping Brisbane’s three-game win streak in November (90-82) and ending Sydney’s record-setting 17-game road win streak (94-88) in an overtime thriller. Despite losing Pinder to an ankle injury in December, the team maintained their form with a five-game winning streak that included victories over Adelaide (86-83), Illawarra (96-89 and 89-84), Brisbane (107-81), and South East Melbourne (94-85).

In the final weeks of the regular season, Cairns battled New Zealand for second place. A late-season loss to Adelaide (96-99) hurt their chances, despite Waardenburg and Hogg both scoring 26 points. Cairns rebounded with a win over Perth (84-71), briefly moving into second place before New Zealand’s back-to-back victories relegated them to third due to a lower points percentage. Cairns finished with an 18-10 record, securing a spot in the NBL’s inaugural play-in tournament.

Waardenburg played a key role in Cairns’ playoff campaign, which began with a history-making performance from DJ Hogg, whose 32 points helped secure a 91-78 victory over Perth. In the semifinals against Sydney, Waardenburg’s resilience was tested during a chaotic series. Despite injuries to McCall and other teammates, Cairns forced a decisive game three with a 93-82 victory in game two, fueled by Hogg’s 25 points and McCall’s 20-point, 7-assist effort. Ultimately, Sydney’s defense held firm in game three, defeating Cairns 79-64 and advancing to the Championship Series.

Waardenburg capped off his rookie season with averages of 11.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists across 30 games. His stellar performances earned him the NBL’s Next Generation Award, replacing the Rookie of the Year accolade, and cementing his place as one of the league’s brightest young talents.

2023/24
In his second NBL season, Sam Waardenburg continued to build on his strong rookie campaign, averaging 9.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 28 games. Despite his consistent performances, the Cairns Taipans endured a challenging year, finishing in eighth place with a 12-16 record.

Waardenburg played a key role in the Taipans’ frontcourt, displaying his versatility and ability to contribute on both ends of the floor. Though the team struggled to find consistent form, Waardenburg remained a reliable presence, frequently stepping up in crucial moments and showing flashes of the potential that earned him the NBL’s Next Generation Award the previous season.

While Cairns was unable to replicate the playoff success of the prior season, Waardenburg’s development as a player continued, solidifying his role as a cornerstone for the Taipans’ future.

Sam Waardenburg currently plays for the Cairns Taipans and has played 70 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 11.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists since entering the league in 2022.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Cairns Taipans – 3 Year Deal (2022-25)

Dan Boyce (816 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.