Aaron Grabau (Taipans Legend) on the first 15 years of the Cairns Taipans and his NBL career
May 23, 2021
Aaron Grabau
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 8/02/78
- Place of Birth: Melbourne (VIC)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 196
- Weight (KG): 98
- Junior Assoc: VIC - Dandenong
- College: None
- NBL DEBUT: 13/04/96
- AGE AT DEBUT: 18
- LAST NBL GAME: 22/03/13
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 35
- NBL History: Geelong 1996 | Cairns 2000-13
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Aaron Grabau was born in Melbourne (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Dandenong basketball program.
Grabau is a icon of basketball in Cairns, having played more than 12 seasons in the NBL with the Taipans, including in their inaugural game in 1999 but he played over a decade in Queensland’s state league and retired as retired as one of the most dominant players in Queensland basketball history.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Aaron Grabau made his NBL debut with the Geelong Supercats at 18 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.
1996 marked a season of transition for the Geelong Supercats, with Ian Stacker replacing Jim Calvin as head coach and a roster shake-up that saw the addition of Rupert Sapwell (via South East Melbourne) and Matt Scalzi (via Adelaide), replacing outgoing players David Graham and Justin Cass. Ray Owes (replacing Jeff Arnold) headlined the new arrivals and was joined by returning import Joey Wright, who was injured after two games and replaced by prolific scorer Orlando Williams.
Development guard Aaron Grabau appeared in 11 games during his debut NBL season, averaging (0.5 points, 0.6 rebounds, and 0.2 assists). Used sparingly off the bench, his most active outing came on July 27 against Wollongong, where he played nearly 13 minutes and scored 3 points (1-of-3 FG, 1-of-2 FT) with a block. He also registered 2 points from the free throw line in a brief appearance against the Magic on June 7. Grabau provided hustle minutes across multiple fixtures, including 8:34 of floor time versus the Cannons on August 10 and 6:33 in Canberra on May 24, where he added a steal.
He featured in Geelong’s final NBL game on September 28—a 100–94 loss to the Sydney Kings—logging 4:30 in limited action. Despite limited statistical output, the season provided Grabau with valuable top-tier experience as part of a squad that included Ray Owes (22.2 points, 14.0 rebounds), Simon Kerle (17.0 points, 5.2 assists), Orlando Williams (23.5 points), and Rupert Sapwell (11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds).
Owes was named to the All-NBL First Team and delivered a historic 40-point, 22-rebound effort in a 119–116 loss to Townsville on August 24, supported by 32 points from Williams and 24 from Kerle. The following night, Geelong registered their final NBL win—defeating the Gold Coast Rollers 131–93—behind Owes (33 points, 26 rebounds) and Williams (32 points, 7 assists).
Geelong concluded the season 13th with a 6–20 record and relinquished their NBL licence after the season due to financial pressures and league restructuring.
Grabau would retire from the NBL at the end of the 2012/13 season, finishing his career first all-time for the Taipans in games played, rebounds, and steals as well as finishing second in points.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 35 | Cairns | 11-17 (6) | 23 | 486.0 | 169 | 71 | 16 | 26 | 45 | 3 | 9 | 24 | 51 | 55 | 110 | 50% | 36 | 68 | 53% | 23 | 29 | 79% | 68% | 66% | 22 |
| 2011-12 | 34 | Cairns | 15-13 (5) | 28 | 613.0 | 197 | 90 | 21 | 26 | 64 | 18 | 10 | 21 | 49 | 58 | 137 | 42% | 42 | 93 | 45% | 39 | 44 | 89% | 62% | 58% | 15 |
| 2010-11 | 33 | Cairns | 16-12 (4) | 34 | 462.0 | 109 | 88 | 14 | 31 | 57 | 13 | 6 | 19 | 53 | 36 | 96 | 38% | 15 | 48 | 31% | 22 | 30 | 73% | 49% | 45% | 11 |
| 2009-10 | 32 | Cairns | 11-17 (7) | 28 | 553.0 | 162 | 71 | 27 | 33 | 38 | 12 | 9 | 31 | 46 | 56 | 125 | 45% | 18 | 52 | 35% | 32 | 44 | 73% | 56% | 52% | 16 |
| 2008-09 | 31 | Cairns | 11-19 (9) | 30 | 833.0 | 235 | 99 | 47 | 34 | 65 | 32 | 5 | 38 | 67 | 77 | 195 | 39% | 28 | 74 | 38% | 53 | 67 | 79% | 52% | 47% | 18 |
| 2007-08 | 30 | Cairns | 16-14 (6) | 20 | 611.0 | 152 | 62 | 36 | 21 | 41 | 30 | 6 | 26 | 51 | 46 | 121 | 38% | 19 | 60 | 32% | 41 | 56 | 73% | 51% | 46% | 20 |
| 2006-07 | 29 | Cairns | 17-16 (6) | 37 | 1,345.0 | 463 | 156 | 55 | 54 | 102 | 48 | 11 | 53 | 100 | 149 | 348 | 43% | 65 | 165 | 39% | 100 | 138 | 72% | 56% | 52% | 24 |
| 2005-06 | 28 | Cairns | 18-14 (5) | 27 | 634.0 | 188 | 66 | 23 | 25 | 41 | 20 | 5 | 30 | 59 | 54 | 145 | 37% | 25 | 71 | 35% | 55 | 74 | 74% | 52% | 46% | 20 |
| 2004-05 | 27 | Cairns | 11-21 (10) | 32 | 931.0 | 329 | 89 | 50 | 38 | 51 | 37 | 13 | 49 | 84 | 104 | 233 | 45% | 35 | 91 | 38% | 86 | 109 | 79% | 58% | 52% | 28 |
| 2003-04 | 26 | Cairns | 16-17 (6) | 35 | 847.0 | 274 | 94 | 44 | 39 | 55 | 42 | 8 | 42 | 87 | 97 | 229 | 42% | 27 | 85 | 32% | 53 | 69 | 77% | 52% | 48% | 21 |
| 2002-03 | 25 | Cairns | 13-17 (8) | 28 | 350.0 | 119 | 35 | 23 | 20 | 15 | 14 | 1 | 24 | 46 | 40 | 104 | 38% | 13 | 33 | 39% | 26 | 42 | 62% | 48% | 45% | 14 |
| 2001-02 | 24 | Cairns | 9-21 (11) | 29 | 356.0 | 101 | 44 | 16 | 16 | 28 | 7 | 0 | 23 | 51 | 32 | 77 | 42% | 14 | 33 | 42% | 23 | 35 | 66% | 54% | 51% | 13 |
| 2000-01 | 23 | Cairns | 6-22 (9) | 28 | 684.0 | 162 | 101 | 37 | 38 | 63 | 25 | 7 | 18 | 70 | 65 | 155 | 42% | 20 | 53 | 38% | 12 | 17 | 71% | 50% | 48% | 15 |
| 1999-00 | 22 | Cairns | 2-26 (11) | 28 | 963.0 | 214 | 145 | 38 | 61 | 84 | 39 | 19 | 36 | 88 | 88 | 249 | 35% | 17 | 74 | 23% | 21 | 31 | 68% | 41% | 39% | 14 |
| 1996 | 18 | Geelong | 6-20 (13) | 11 | 57.0 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 8 | 13% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 3 | 4 | 75% | 25% | 0% | 3 | Totals | 418 | 9725 | 2879 | 1218 | 449 | 466 | 752 | 341 | 111 | 441 | 916 | 958 | 2332 | 41.1% | 374 | 1001 | 37.4% | 589 | 789 | 74.7% | 54% | 49% | 28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 35 | Cairns | 11-17 (6) | 23 | 21.1 | 7.3 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 4.8 | 50% | 1.6 | 3.0 | 53% | 1.0 | 1.3 | 79% | 68% | 66% | 22 |
| 2011-12 | 34 | Cairns | 15-13 (5) | 28 | 21.9 | 7.0 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 4.9 | 42% | 1.5 | 3.3 | 45% | 1.4 | 1.6 | 89% | 62% | 58% | 15 |
| 2010-11 | 33 | Cairns | 16-12 (4) | 34 | 13.6 | 3.2 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 38% | 0.4 | 1.4 | 31% | 0.6 | 0.9 | 73% | 49% | 45% | 11 |
| 2009-10 | 32 | Cairns | 11-17 (7) | 28 | 19.8 | 5.8 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 45% | 0.6 | 1.9 | 35% | 1.1 | 1.6 | 73% | 56% | 52% | 16 |
| 2008-09 | 31 | Cairns | 11-19 (9) | 30 | 27.8 | 7.8 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 6.5 | 39% | 0.9 | 2.5 | 38% | 1.8 | 2.2 | 79% | 52% | 47% | 18 |
| 2007-08 | 30 | Cairns | 16-14 (6) | 20 | 30.6 | 7.6 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 6.1 | 38% | 1.0 | 3.0 | 32% | 2.1 | 2.8 | 73% | 51% | 46% | 20 |
| 2006-07 | 29 | Cairns | 17-16 (6) | 37 | 36.4 | 12.5 | 4.2 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 4.0 | 9.4 | 43% | 1.8 | 4.5 | 39% | 2.7 | 3.7 | 72% | 56% | 52% | 24 |
| 2005-06 | 28 | Cairns | 18-14 (5) | 27 | 23.5 | 7.0 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 5.4 | 37% | 0.9 | 2.6 | 35% | 2.0 | 2.7 | 74% | 52% | 46% | 20 |
| 2004-05 | 27 | Cairns | 11-21 (10) | 32 | 29.1 | 10.3 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 7.3 | 45% | 1.1 | 2.8 | 38% | 2.7 | 3.4 | 79% | 58% | 52% | 28 |
| 2003-04 | 26 | Cairns | 16-17 (6) | 35 | 24.2 | 7.8 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 6.5 | 42% | 0.8 | 2.4 | 32% | 1.5 | 2.0 | 77% | 52% | 48% | 21 |
| 2002-03 | 25 | Cairns | 13-17 (8) | 28 | 12.5 | 4.3 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 3.7 | 38% | 0.5 | 1.2 | 39% | 0.9 | 1.5 | 62% | 48% | 45% | 14 |
| 2001-02 | 24 | Cairns | 9-21 (11) | 29 | 12.3 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 42% | 0.5 | 1.1 | 42% | 0.8 | 1.2 | 66% | 54% | 51% | 13 |
| 2000-01 | 23 | Cairns | 6-22 (9) | 28 | 24.4 | 5.8 | 3.6 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 5.5 | 42% | 0.7 | 1.9 | 38% | 0.4 | 0.6 | 71% | 50% | 48% | 15 |
| 1999-00 | 22 | Cairns | 2-26 (11) | 28 | 34.4 | 7.6 | 5.2 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 8.9 | 35% | 0.6 | 2.6 | 23% | 0.8 | 1.1 | 68% | 41% | 39% | 14 |
| 1996 | 18 | Geelong | 6-20 (13) | 11 | 5.2 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 13% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 0.3 | 0.4 | 75% | 25% | 0% | 3 | Total | 418 | 23.3 | 6.9 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 5.6 | 41.1% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 37.4% | 0.9 | 2.4 | 74.7% | 54% | 49% | 28 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 28 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Dandenong 1996 | Mackay 1997 | Cairns 1998-09
Grabau joined Dandenong for the 1996 state league season. In 1997 Grabau joined Mackay for the 1997 QBL season and was named QBL Youth Player of the Year while playing for the Meteors.
Grabau joined Cairns for the 1998 QBL season and was part of the Marlins team that won both the QBL championship and the ABA National Championship, with Cairns beating Frankston 88–74 in the national final.
Cairns continued with Grabau through the 2001 QBL season and won another state league championship, giving the Marlins their second QBL title during his run with the club.
Grabau remained with Cairns for the 2004 QBL season and was named to the QBL All-League Team as the Marlins won the QBL championship and then beat North-West Tasmania 104–100 at Geelong Arena to win the ABA National Championship, with Grabau named ABA Grand Final MVP.
Grabau was part of Cairns again in the 2007 QBL season and earned QBL All-League Team selection as the Marlins won another state championship before beating Dandenong 110–98 at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre to claim the Australian Club Championship, where Grabau was named Grand Final MVP and selected in the men’s All-Star Five.
Grabau continued with Cairns through the 2009 QBL season and helped the Marlins finish as minor premiers before winning the championship over Rockhampton, claiming the club’s seventh QBL title. He was named to the QBL All-League Team, earned a Round 12 Player of the Week honour and led the league in three-point percentage at 50.6 percent.
Grabau’s Cairns state league run from 1998 to 2009 included five state league championships in 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2009, three ABA National Championships in 1998, 2004 and 2007, and ABA National Championship MVP awards in 2004 and 2007. Those national titles moved Cairns level with Ballarat and Geelong among the most successful men’s clubs in ABA National Championship history.
Grabau returned to Cairns for the 2012 QBL season and was again named to the QBL All-League Team as the Marlins finished fourth at 11–5 in a 13-team competition.
Related
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