Alex Higgins-Titsha
October 29, 2024
Tahjere McCall
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 17/08/97
- Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA)
- Position: SG
- Height (CM): 193
- Weight (KG): 88
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Niagara (2012–2014) / Tennessee State (2015–2017)
- NBL DEBUT: 5/12/21
- AGE AT DEBUT: 24
- LAST NBL GAME: 16/02/24
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 26
- NBL History: Cairns 2022-24
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Tahjere McCall was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA) and attended George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science. There, he played for the schools basketball team and was lightly recruited by college team’s.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Tahjere McCall made his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans at 24 years of age. He scored 16 points in his first game.
Cairns underwent significant changes before the NBL22 season, starting with Adam Forde replacing Mike Kelly as head coach. Forde, previously with the Sydney Kings, was tasked with reinvigorating a Taipans squad that lost leading scorer Cam Oliver to the NBA. New additions included imports Tahjere McCall and Stephen Zimmerman, as well as Keanu Pinder (via Adelaide) and rookie Bul Kuol (Detroit Mercy), who joined a core that featured Majok Deng, Kouat Noi, Nathan Jawai, Mirko Djeric, Jarrod Kenny, and captain Scott Machado.
The Taipans faced a challenging season marked by injuries, which left them unable to field a full-strength roster in any game. Despite these setbacks, Forde’s development-focused approach yielded career-best seasons for several players. Majok Deng (14.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1 assist) led by example, appearing in every game and ranking second on the team in scoring. Keanu Pinder (10.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists) doubled his production from the prior season and earned the NBL Most Improved Player award.
Bul Kuol (10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists) made an immediate impact as a rookie. Initially not guaranteed minutes, Kuol stepped up due to injuries and became one of Cairns’ most reliable contributors, culminating in him winning the NBL Rookie of the Year award. Ben Ayre (6.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists), originally an unpaid training player, joined the main roster as an injury replacement in April and set records during his eight-game stint. On April 18, 2022, Ayre scored 20 points and dished out 10 assists against Melbourne (80–92), becoming only the second player in Taipans history to achieve this feat.
Tahjere McCall emerged as Cairns’ standout performer during his debut season, leading the team in scoring (16.1 points), assists (5.5), and steals (2). His all-around contributions made him the only player in the league to finish in the top three for both assists and steals. McCall’s season culminated in a historic 42-point, 10-assist performance against Brisbane, marking the highest individual score in NBL22 and solidifying his place as one of the league’s elite guards.
The Taipans concluded the season with a 9–19 record, finishing second-last on the ladder. McCall and Machado (10.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists) were named co-MVPs, with Machado limited by a heel injury that saw him miss significant time.
2022/23
After Adam Forde’s first season as head coach ended with Cairns finishing ninth with a 9-19 record, the Taipans retained Majok Deng, Mirko Djeric, Rookie of the Year Bul Kuol and reigning Most Improved Player Keanu Pinder. Kuol and Pinder both took up the mutual options in their contracts, keeping the two award winners in Cairns for a second season. Kouat Noi (to Sydney) departed, Nathan Jawai was not re-signed despite wanting to continue playing, and imports Scott Machado and Stephen Zimmerman were replaced.
Forde added Sam Waardenburg (via Miami) on a three-year deal after offering him a starting role, Lat Mayen (via Nebraska), Jonah Antonio (via Czech League) and promoted injury replacement player Ben Ayre to the main roster. DJ Hogg (via Cholet) and Shannon Scott completed the youngest roster in the league as Cairns’ two new imports.
Tahjere McCall returned on a new two-year deal, committing to Cairns through the 2023/24 season after leading the Taipans in scoring during his first year with the club. Forde described McCall as the “type of player you build a team around,” while Hogg’s arrival reunited the pair after they helped the Lakeland Magic win the 2021 G League Championship.
Cairns opened the season at MyState Bank Arena on October 3, where McCall (8 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals), Deng (26 points and 5 rebounds) and Hogg (17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 4 blocks) led the Taipans to a 106-84 win over Tasmania, while Rashard Kelly (15 points and 4 rebounds) was the JackJumpers’ leading scorer. Cairns scored 39 points during the third quarter, its highest-scoring period of the 40-minute era, and the victory began a 5-1 start that also included wins over South East Melbourne and reigning champion Sydney.
McCall (16.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2 steals across 25 games) remained one of the league’s best two-way guards, but an MRI following Cairns’ early-season game against Perth revealed a partial tear in the right hip area. The injury sidelined him for five games against Sydney, Melbourne, New Zealand, Sydney and Melbourne, accounting for the first five of the eight games he missed during the season. Scott moved into the starting lineup during his absence, while Josh Davey was added as an injury replacement player and the Taipans went 3-2 without McCall.
McCall returned from the bench in Brisbane on November 19, finishing with 5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals as Cairns ended the Bullets’ three-game winning streak with a 90-82 victory. Pinder (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Hogg (20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) led the Taipans, while DJ Mitchell (21 points and 8 rebounds) was Brisbane’s leading scorer. Scott remained in the starting lineup following McCall’s return, with McCall becoming a major contributor from the bench.
Cairns ended Sydney’s record 17-game road winning streak on November 28, when McCall (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Pinder (30 points and 13 rebounds) and Hogg (20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) led the Taipans back from 14 points behind during the fourth quarter to win 94-88 in overtime. Xavier Cooks (25 points and 10 rebounds) led Sydney before fouling out, while Hogg made consecutive three-pointers to force overtime and Pinder scored eight points during the extra period.
McCall delivered another strong performance in Cairns’ 102-101 double-overtime victory over Illawarra on December 10, finishing with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. Hogg (23 points) and Pinder (18 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists) supported him, while Michael Frazier II (26 points and 8 rebounds) led the Hawks. Tyler Harvey made a three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining to force overtime, Hogg scored nine of Cairns’ 15 points across the two extra periods and Peyton Siva’s final attempt rimmed out at the buzzer.
With Pinder sidelined by an ankle injury, McCall (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) made 7-of-8 shots and all eight of his free throws as Cairns defeated South East Melbourne 94-85 on January 8. Scott (19 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Hogg (16 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 blocks) helped the Taipans produce a 22-5 run and make six three-pointers during the second quarter, while Mitch Creek (25 points and 7 rebounds) led the Phoenix. The result gave Cairns its fourth consecutive victory without Pinder.
McCall’s best game of the season came against Illawarra at the Cairns Convention Centre on January 13, where he finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals without committing a turnover. Scott (15 points and 6 assists) and Hogg (15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks) helped Cairns finish the game with a 10-2 run and defeat the Hawks 89-84, while Harvey (25 points and 5 assists) was Illawarra’s leading scorer. The win improved the Taipans to 15-7 and kept them in second place.
Hogg (18.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks across 33 games) led Cairns in scoring and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Pinder (16.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals across 19 games) joined him on the Second Team and became the first player in league history to win consecutive Most Improved Player awards. Waardenburg (11.3 points and 5.6 rebounds across 30 games) won the inaugural Next Generation Award, while Scott (10.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals across 31 games), Kuol (10.3 points and 3.7 rebounds across 33 games), Deng (6.4 points and 3.9 rebounds across 32 games) and Ayre (5.8 points across 32 games) completed the main rotation. Forde was named Coach of the Year.
McCall’s sixth absence came in Cairns’ final regular-season game against Perth at RAC Arena on February 3, when he was unavailable with hip and back soreness. Kuol (15 points and 9 rebounds), Deng (14 points and 11 rebounds) and Hogg (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) led the Taipans to an 84-71 win, while Bryce Cotton (28 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists) was Perth’s leading scorer. The victory briefly moved Cairns into second place, but New Zealand’s final-round victories left both teams with an 18-10 record and the Breakers claimed second on percentage, leaving the Taipans third and requiring them to enter the inaugural play-in tournament.
Cairns opened the postseason against Tasmania in the Seeding Qualifier at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 9, where McCall (24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals), Scott (17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Hogg (13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) led the Taipans, while Milton Doyle (25 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals) and Isaac White (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) powered the JackJumpers to an 87-79 win. McCall partially dislocated his shoulder during the loss, leaving Cairns without both him and the injured Pinder for its elimination game against Perth.
The Play-In Game remained at the Cairns Convention Centre, where Hogg (32 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks), Kuol (23 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Waardenburg (15 points and 10 rebounds) led Cairns to a 91-78 win over Perth, while Cotton (19 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists), TaShawn Thomas (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Corey Webster (14 points and 4 rebounds) led the Wildcats. McCall missed the game with his shoulder injury, while Hogg set a Taipans finals scoring record and moved Cairns into the semifinals.
McCall remained sidelined for game one of the semifinals at Qudos Bank Arena, accounting for the final two of his eight missed games. Hogg (24 points), Antonio (20 points and 6 rebounds) and Scott (13 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) helped Cairns build a nine-point halftime lead, but Sydney responded by outscoring the Taipans 27-10 during the third quarter, with Cooks (27 points and 14 rebounds) and Derrick Walton Jr. (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) leading the Kings to a 95-87 win.
McCall returned for game two at the Cairns Convention Centre after passing a fitness test despite not being fully recovered, finishing with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals as Cairns defeated Sydney 93-82. Hogg (25 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block) and Waardenburg (15 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks) supported him, while Walton Jr. (22 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Justin Simon (19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Sydney. Kings coach Chase Buford was ejected, Cooks suffered another ankle injury, Noi and Waardenburg left the court after hits to the head and Tim Soares was charged with striking, while Scott was unavailable with a hamstring injury.
Game three returned to Qudos Bank Arena, where McCall (9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals), Ayre (20 points and 4 assists) and Waardenburg (17 points and 12 rebounds) led Cairns, while Dejan Vasiljevic (15 points and 5 rebounds), Cooks (11 points and 11 rebounds) and Noi (11 points and 11 rebounds) led Sydney to a 79-64 win.
2023/24
Having taken eventual champions Sydney to a deciding semifinal after an 18-10 season, Cairns began NBL24 with coach Adam Forde reshaping the supporting cast around captain Tahjere McCall. Keanu Pinder (to Perth), DJ Hogg (to Sydney), Shannon Scott (to Brisbane), Gabe Hadley (to Brisbane), Majok Deng (to Tasmania), Ben Ayre (to South East Melbourne) and Mirko Djeric (released) exited. Patrick Miller (via Bamberg), Sam Mennenga (via Davidson), Akoldah Gak (via Illawarra), Taran Armstrong (via California Baptist), Bobi Klintman (via Wake Forest), Josh Roberts (via Manhattan), Lachlan Anderson (via Skopje), Alex Mudronja (via Illawarra) and Kian Dennis (via Southern Districts) were added to a returning group featuring Bul Kuol, Sam Waardenburg, Lat Mayen and Jonah Antonio.
The captain entered the final season of the two-year agreement he signed in May 2022, which committed him to Cairns through 2024. Forde had described him as the “type of player you build a team around,” with his defence, playmaking and leadership remaining central to the Taipans after their NBL23 semifinal run.
A hip injury suffered during the NBL Blitz ruled McCall out of Cairns’ opening two games, although he recovered much sooner than the initial Round 6 return date. McCall (8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) played 17:24 off the bench at Nissan Arena on October 7 as Cairns defeated Brisbane 89-86, with Miller (21 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Klintman (19 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) leading the Taipans, while Nathan Sobey (31 points) was Brisbane’s leading scorer.
After the win, McCall (17 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.9 steals across 23 games) returned to the United States for the birth of his daughter and missed the next four fixtures. He later made 20 starts, finished second on the team in scoring and remained among the NBL leaders in both assists and steals.
McCall produced his best passing game in Adelaide on December 9, finishing with 19 points, 4 rebounds, a career-high 15 assists, and 4 steals as Cairns defeated the 36ers 116-101. Miller (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Klintman (22 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) led the scoring, while Dejan Vasiljevic (30 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) was Adelaide’s best. His 15 assists set a new Taipans franchise record as Cairns posted the highest score by an NBL team to that point of the season.
McCall’s best scoring game came at the Cairns Convention Centre on January 13, where he finished with 30 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block as the Taipans recovered from 16 points down to defeat Adelaide 111-101 in overtime. Miller (25 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) and Gak (21 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 steals) powered the comeback, while Isaac Humphries (28 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the 36ers as Cairns kept its top-six hopes alive.
Five days later, McCall (28 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Cairns against Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. Miller (16 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists) provided support and Mayen (11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made a three-pointer as time expired, while Gary Clark (36 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) starred for the Hawks as Cairns won 93-92 and moved above Illawarra into sixth place.
Miller (19.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.2 steals) led Cairns in scoring and assists, while Kuol (12.7 points and 3.1 rebounds), Klintman (9.7 points and 4.8 rebounds), Waardenburg (9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds), Armstrong (7.7 points and 4 rebounds), Mayen (6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds), Mennenga (6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds) and Gak (5.5 points and 3.7 rebounds) formed the remaining major contributors. Miller received the club’s Most Valuable Player and Players’ Player awards, McCall was named Defensive Player of the Year, Klintman received Members’ Choice MVP, Mayen won the Coaches Award and Mudronja (0.2 points across 9 games) earned the Commitment to Community award.
Already eliminated from postseason contention, Cairns ended the season against first-placed Melbourne at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 16. McCall (23 points, 9 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals) controlled the game, with Miller (20 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Roberts (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists) helping the Taipans complete their first regular-season sweep of United, while Ian Clark (20 points) led Melbourne as Cairns won 97-88 and finished eighth with a 12-16 record.
Tahjere McCall played three seasons the Cairns Taipans. He averaged 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 70 NBL games.
HIGHLIGHTS:
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 26 | Cairns | 12-16 (8) | 23 | 714.0 | 390 | 111 | 122 | 27 | 84 | 43 | 5 | 72 | 73 | 140 | 310 | 45% | 19 | 63 | 30% | 91 | 138 | 66% | 52% | 48% | 30 |
| 2022-23 | 25 | Cairns | 18-10 (3) | 25 | 765.9 | 404 | 141 | 102 | 47 | 94 | 50 | 6 | 78 | 85 | 143 | 334 | 43% | 15 | 67 | 22% | 103 | 159 | 65% | 49% | 45% | 24 |
| 2021-22 | 24 | Cairns | 9-19 (9) | 22 | 688.9 | 354 | 120 | 123 | 28 | 92 | 43 | 10 | 77 | 68 | 129 | 315 | 41% | 23 | 89 | 26% | 73 | 112 | 65% | 48% | 45% | 42 | Totals | 70 | 2169 | 1148 | 372 | 347 | 102 | 270 | 136 | 21 | 227 | 226 | 412 | 959 | 43.0% | 57 | 219 | 26.0% | 267 | 409 | 65.3% | 50% | 46% | 42 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 26 | Cairns | 12-16 (8) | 23 | 31.0 | 17.0 | 4.8 | 5.3 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 3.1 | 3.2 | 6.1 | 13.5 | 45% | 0.8 | 2.7 | 30% | 4.0 | 6.0 | 66% | 52% | 48% | 30 |
| 2022-23 | 25 | Cairns | 18-10 (3) | 25 | 30.6 | 16.2 | 5.6 | 4.1 | 1.9 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 5.7 | 13.4 | 43% | 0.6 | 2.7 | 22% | 4.1 | 6.4 | 65% | 49% | 45% | 24 |
| 2021-22 | 24 | Cairns | 9-19 (9) | 22 | 31.3 | 16.1 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 1.3 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 5.9 | 14.3 | 41% | 1.0 | 4.0 | 26% | 3.3 | 5.1 | 65% | 48% | 45% | 42 | Total | 70 | 31.0 | 16.4 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 1.5 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 5.9 | 13.7 | 43.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 26.0% | 0.8 | 3.1 | 65.3% | 50% | 46% | 42 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 42 | 11 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
After going undrafted in 2017 NBA draft, McCall joined the Brooklyn Nets for the 2017 NBA Summer League and would join them for training camp. McCall played two seasons with the Nets NBA G League affiliate in Long Island. On February 26, 2019, he signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets.
McCall re-joined the Long Island Nets after the conclusion of his 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets.
McCall spent multiple seasons in the NBA G League, playing for the College Park Skyhawks and Long Island Nets, where he won a championship playing alongside Mitch Creek and under former NBL coach Will Weaver.
During the shortened 2021 season, McCall won the G League Championship with the Lakeland Magic and averaged 11.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists for the Orlando-affiliate. He was named to the G League’s All-Defensive team and finished runner up in G League Defensive Player of the Year voting.
McCall played in the 2021 NBA Summer League with the Orlando Magic. He also attended the Washington Wizards mini-camp in 2022.
McCall played 1 games in the NBA. He averaged 4 points, 1 rebounds, and 0 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- October 12, 2017: Signed a contract with the Brooklyn Nets
October 13, 2017: Waived by the Brooklyn Nets.
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October 12, 2018: Signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Brooklyn Nets.
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October 13, 2018: Waived by the Brooklyn Nets.
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February 26, 2019: Signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets.
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March 2, 2019: Assigned to the Long Island Nets of the G-League.
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September 20, 2019: Signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Atlanta Hawks.
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October 18, 2019: Waived by the Atlanta Hawks.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 86% | 97% | 97% | 71% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 42 | 15 | 5 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | 412 | 959 | 43.0% | 57 | 219 | 26.0% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 24 | Brooklyn | SG | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 67% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 58% | 67% | Total | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 67% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 24 | Brooklyn | SG | 1 | 0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 67% | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0% | 58% | 67% | Total | 1 | 0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 67% | 1.0 | 0% | 1.0 | 0% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- France - Orléans Loiret Basket (2021), Fos Provence Basket (2023) | New Zealand - Otago Nuggets (2022) | Israel - Hapoel Holon (2024) | China - Guangzhou Loong Lions (2024–2025), Guangdong Southern Tigers (2025–2026) | Russia - Lokomotiv Kuban (2025)
McCall joined Orléans Loiret Basket for the 2020–21 Jeep Élite season in France, signing on March 29, 2021 as an injury replacement.
McCall played 18 games for Orléans Loiret Basket in France as an injury replacement, averaging 6.1 points (48.4% FGP) 3.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals.
He moved to New Zealand with the Otago Nuggets for the 2022 New Zealand NBL season after signing on April 23, 2022, and he left in mid June after seven games.
In 2022, Tahjere McCall played in New Zealand for the Otago Nuggets and averaged 9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across 7 games. He left the team in mid June after being invited to a NBA summer training camp.
McCall returned to France in 2023 when he signed with Fos Provence Basket on March 20, 2023 for the LNB Pro A season.
Following the 2022–23 NBL season, he joined Fos Provence Basket of the LNB Pro A.
He added another international stop in 2024 by joining Hapoel Holon in Israel for the remainder of the season on February 25, 2024, and in Basketball Champions League play he averaged 11.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists across three games.
McCall then moved to China on November 26, 2024 when he signed with the Guangzhou Loong Lions for the 2024–25 CBA season.
A further move followed on February 7, 2025 when he signed with Lokomotiv Kuban for the rest of the 2024–25 VTB United League season in Russia.
In 2025, Tahjere signed a deal to play with Guangdong Southern Tigers for the 2025/26 season in Chinas CBA.
He joined Guangdong Southern Tigers on November 16, 2025 for the 2025–26 CBA season in China.
COLLEGE
Tahjere McCall played four seasons of NCAA Division I basketball split between Niagara University (2012–2014) and Tennessee State University (2015–2017), appearing in 117 career games with 92 starts while establishing himself as a versatile defensive guard and productive scorer.
McCall began his college career at Niagara, where he played two seasons from 2012–13 to 2013–14, appearing in 59 games with 37 starts and scoring 330 total points (5.6 ppg) across his Purple Eagles tenure. At Niagara as a freshman, he made 22 starts in 32 games, recorded his first career double-digit rebounds (eight) and posted career-best defensive markups early in his collegiate timeline, including a career-high nine rebounds versus Buffalo on December 8.
During his sophomore season at Niagara, McCall started 14 of 27 games while averaging 7.5 points per game, pacing the team in multiple statistical categories at times and showing his emerging two-way game with a mix of rebounding, assists and steals.
After the 2013–14 season, McCall transferred to Tennessee State and sat out the 2014–15 season per NCAA transfer rules before resuming active play in 2015–16.
In his first season with the Tennessee State Tigers in 2015–16, McCall became one of the Ohio Valley Conference’s most dynamic wings, starting 28 of 31 games and averaging 14.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals per game in 30.1 minutes. He led TSU in scoring 12 times and in assists 15 times, twice scored 30+ points (including a career-high 32 points on 11-for-14 shooting at Belmont), and contributed in every facet of the box score, including a double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) at Tennessee Tech.
McCall’s senior season in 2016–17 marked the peak of his collegiate production as he averaged 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.8 steals in 32.1 minutes per game, while setting TSU’s single-season steals record with 72 swipes and ranking ninth nationally in steals per game (2.32). He scored 23 points in his TSU debut versus Loyola Maryland, dished eight assists in a win over Stetson, and was a statistically balanced impact player throughout the schedule.
Across his two seasons in the Ohio Valley Conference, McCall was recognised for his defensive excellence with back-to-back OVC Defensive Player of the Year awards (2016 & 2017) and earned First-Team All-OVC honours twice, cementing his status as one of the league’s premier two-way guards.
McCall finished his collegiate career with averages of 10.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game across all stops, showing consistent growth each season and leaving Tennessee State as a program leader in defensive categories and all-around contributions.
AWARDS
- NBA G League champion (2021)
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NBA G League All-Defensive Team (2021)
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2× First-team All-OVC (2016, 2017)
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2× OVC Defensive Player of the Year (2016, 2017)
Related
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