BIO: Damon Heuir was born in Townsville (QLD) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Townsville basketball program.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Damon Heuir made his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans at 23 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

2015/16
After becoming the first regional team since Geelong in 1984 to finish first with a 21-7 record before losing the Grand Final series 2-0 to New Zealand, Cairns entered 2015/16 with Aaron Fearne returning as coach. Scottie Wilbekin (to Philadelphia) departed after exercising his NBA-out clause, while Mitch Young (to Townsville), Corey Maynard (to Townsville) and Nathan Sobey (to Adelaide) also left. Markel Starks (via Ferentino), Mark Worthington (via Melbourne) and Damon Heuir (via Cairns development player) were added, with Heuir elevated from the development-player role he held in 2014/15 to replace Maynard after the guard was released at his own request to pursue increased playing time.

Cairns opened the season against Illawarra at the Cairns Convention Centre on October 8, where Heuir (0 points) played the final 38 seconds as Gliddon (19 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Weigh (15 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led the Taipans to a 79-74 victory, while Penney (12 points) was Illawarra’s equal-leading scorer.

Heuir (1.4 points across 21 games) remained at the end of Fearne’s guard rotation, coming from the bench in all 21 appearances and never starting while averaging 4.4 minutes. He was no longer a development player and no injury or illness was verified as the reason for any of his seven non-appearances, with his limited minutes and zero starts reflecting his role at the end of the rotation. He made 11-of-22 field goals and six of nine three-pointers during the season.

Heuir joined Burston and Starks at Cairns ZOOM in January ahead of the Perth game, with the trio taking part in a ZOOMball shooting challenge.

Heuir’s best game of the season came in Townsville on December 2, where he finished with 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal in seven minutes, but the Crocodiles defeated Cairns 90-76. Craig (18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 3 blocks) and Worthington (14 points and 3 rebounds) led the Taipans, while Jett (26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led Townsville.

His season-high scoring game came against Melbourne on January 15, where Heuir (6 points and 1 rebound) made both of his three-point attempts in 11 minutes, but United defeated Cairns 98-68. Gliddon (15 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) and Starks (14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led the Taipans, while Warrick (19 points and 4 rebounds) led Melbourne.

Cairns added Jack White (via BA Centre of Excellence) as an injury replacement in January, with White (0 points across 2 games) appearing twice before moving to Duke University.

Captain Gliddon (13.5 points and 4.3 rebounds across 28 games) led Cairns in scoring and won the club MVP award, while Starks (12.5 points across 26 games), Craig (11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds across 28 games), Worthington (11.3 points and 4.8 rebounds across 28 games), Tragardh (7.9 points across 26 games), Weigh (7.9 points and 3.2 rebounds across 20 games), Loughton (6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds across 28 games), Bruce (5.9 points across 28 games) and Burston (5.5 points and 5.6 rebounds across 27 games) provided the other major contributions. Craig received the Members’ Choice MVP award, Bruce won both the Coaches Award and Players’ Player award, Worthington was named Best Defensive Player and also played his 300th NBL game during the season, while Weigh received the Commitment to Community award.

Cairns’ season ended in Townsville on February 11, where Heuir (0 points and 1 rebound) came from the bench as Gliddon (16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Weigh (14 points and 5 rebounds) led the Taipans, while Samhan (14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led Townsville to an 85-68 victory, leaving Cairns sixth with a 12-16 record and outside the playoffs.

2016/17
After finishing sixth with a 12-16 record and missing the playoffs the previous season, Cairns reshaped its roster under coach Aaron Fearne. Markel Starks (to Cremona), Torrey Craig (to Brisbane), Shaun Bruce (to Brisbane), Cameron Tragardh (released) and Jack White (to Duke) departed, while captain Cameron Gliddon, Mark Worthington, Alex Loughton and Stephen Weigh returned. Nathan Jawai (via Perth) returned to his hometown club, Jarrad Weeks (via Illawarra) was added to the backcourt and Travis Trice (via Westchester), Fuquan Edwin (via Ironi Nes Ziona), Nnanna Egwu (via Erie) and Mitchell McCarron (via Palencia) joined the team.

After entering the off-season without a contract, Damon Heuir re-signed with Cairns on September 14 after spending the QBL season with the Cairns Marlins, where he was the club’s leading scorer and helped them win their first state championship in seven years. “I’m going to do everything the Taipans are doing and more to prove myself in any way I can,” he said of his off-season approach.

Heuir (3 points across 18 games) remained a reserve guard in Fearne’s backcourt, appearing in 17 of Cairns’ 28 regular-season games and the opening semifinal without making a start. No injury or illness was reported as the reason for his 12 non-appearances, with 11 regular-season games and the second semifinal coming while he remained a reserve at the back of the rotation.

His best game came against Sydney at the Cairns Convention Centre on November 5, where Heuir (8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) scored five points in the opening quarter and played 16:18 off the bench as Cairns ended the Kings’ five-game winning streak with a 64-57 victory. Worthington (12 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Edwin (11 points and 4 rebounds) led Cairns, while Kevin Lisch (15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Eight days later, with Trice sidelined by a hip injury, Heuir (15 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists) produced the highest-scoring game of his NBL career in 14:48 off the bench as Brisbane defeated Cairns 84-76 at the Cairns Convention Centre. Worthington (14 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Edwin (13 points and 4 rebounds) provided support, while Torrey Craig (11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) was one of Brisbane’s main contributors. The game was abandoned with 1:37 remaining after an electrical storm caused a Cairns-wide power outage, with Brisbane leading by eight, and the result stood after the Taipans lodged a formal protest.

With Cairns sitting 9-11, Edwin (8.1 points and 3.5 rebounds across 20 games) (to Prishtina) was released from his contract on January 19 for personal reasons. Tony Mitchell (8.6 points across 10 games) (via Hapoel Eilat) was signed the following day as his replacement with eight regular-season games remaining, making him eligible for the postseason under the NBL’s 25 percent requirement. “We obviously need some scoring punch, and that’s what we’re hoping he’ll give us,” Fearne said. Cairns lost Mitchell’s debut in Perth to fall to 9-12 before winning six of its final seven regular-season games.

Trice (14.6 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals across 26 games) led Cairns in scoring and won the club MVP award, while captain Gliddon (10.6 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.2 steals across 30 games) remained a key two-way guard. Jawai (10.1 points and 4.3 rebounds across 29 games), Worthington (9.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 28 games), McCarron (7.2 points and 3.8 rebounds across 29 games), Loughton (6.6 points across 26 games), Weeks (6.3 points across 30 games), Weigh (5.4 points across 29 games) and Egwu (5.1 points and 3.7 rebounds across 30 games) were the other major contributors. Worthington announced on January 22 that he would retire at the end of the season and received the Members’ Choice MVP award, while Egwu won the Coaches Award, McCarron received Best Defensive Player and Commitment to Community and Heuir was named Players’ Player. Cairns finished second with a 15-13 record.

Cairns opened its semifinal series against defending champion Perth at the Cairns Convention Centre, where Heuir (0 points and 2 rebounds) played 1:44 as the Wildcats won 91-69. Trice (15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) and Worthington (11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Cairns, while Bryce Cotton (34 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Casey Prather (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Perth.

Game two moved to Perth Arena, where Heuir was not used as Trice (22 points and 5 assists) and Mitchell (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Cairns, while Prather (24 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Jesse Wagstaff (20 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals) helped Perth win 74-66 and complete the 2-0 semifinal sweep. Worthington (3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) played his 335th and final NBL game.

2017/18
After finishing second with a 15-13 record before losing their semifinal series 2-0 to Perth the previous season, Cairns returned under coach Aaron Fearne with Cameron Gliddon remaining captain. Travis Trice (to Brisbane), Mark Worthington (retired) and Fuquan Edwin (to Kauhajoki) departed, while Scoochie Smith (via Dayton), Michael Carrera (via Marinos de Anzoátegui) and Kuany Kuany (via Chaminade) joined the roster. Fearne said the Venezuelan forward would “bring a fantastic competitive spirit and a high-level of physicality to us this year.” However, during a preseason win over Perth on September 23, the new import suffered a medial meniscal tear in his right knee and underwent surgery, ruling him out for four to six weeks, with Jerry Evans Jr (via Sandringham) brought in as an injury replacement.

Cairns opened the season at home against Illawarra on October 6 with their new import still recovering from knee surgery. Loughton (19 points) made the game-winning free throw in the final second as the Taipans defeated the Hawks 88-87, with McCarron (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) also contributing, while AJ Ogilvy (22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Illawarra.

Carrera (14.2 points and 3.6 rebounds across 5 games) missed Cairns’ opening four games while recovering from knee surgery before being cleared to make his NBL debut against Perth on October 22.

Carrera (15 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) made an immediate impact in his debut, hitting both of his three-point attempts as Cairns handed previously unbeaten Perth its first loss of the season with a 90-69 win at the Cairns Convention Centre. McCarron (18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Smith (14 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) helped the Taipans improve to 3-2 and move into the top four, while JP Tokoto (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal) led Perth. A fourth-quarter incident involving Carrera sparked a melee and he was initially charged with unreasonable contact to the face, carrying a possible two-game suspension, but Cairns successfully had the charge downgraded from intentional to careless. Carrera accepted a $750 fine for the contact and a further $375 fine for engaging in the melee and remained available to play, meaning he did not miss any games through suspension.

Carrera’s best game of the season came against Adelaide on October 27, where he finished with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks as Cairns fell 84-80 at home. Loughton (15 points) and Smith (14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals) provided support as Carrera helped the Taipans recover from a seven-point first-quarter deficit to lead at half-time, while Daniel Johnson (20 points and 11 rebounds) led Adelaide.

Carrera (19 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) again led Cairns against Melbourne on November 2, but the Taipans were beaten 87-65 at Hisense Arena. Heuir (10 points) and Gliddon (8 points and 5 rebounds) were Cairns’ next highest scorers, while Casper Ware (26 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Melbourne.

Two nights later Carrera (16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) produced another strong all-round game against New Zealand before fouling out during the fourth quarter. Loughton (13 points) and Smith (12 points and 6 rebounds) helped Cairns take a lead into the final period, but Edgar Sosa made a three-pointer with two seconds remaining to give the Breakers a 73-70 win, with Kirk Penney (16 points) leading New Zealand.

Carrera’s fifth and final NBL game came against Melbourne on November 9. Carrera (2 points) had played just three minutes and 34 seconds when, while chasing a breakaway early in the first quarter, he landed awkwardly on his right foot and was left in severe pain before being taken to hospital for scans. Cairns responded to his departure behind Gliddon (20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Smith (17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals), thrashing Melbourne 92-69, while Ware (12 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) was among United’s leading scorers.

The ankle injury ultimately ended Carrera’s time with the Taipans. After more than a month of rehabilitation without the injury responding as quickly as hoped, Cairns and Carrera agreed to end his contract on December 14. Having already missed the beginning of the season following knee surgery, the second serious injury restricted him to five consecutive starts and 71 points before he returned home to Venezuela to continue his recovery and spend Christmas with his family.

Gliddon (12.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals across 28 games), Loughton (12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds across 28 games) and McCarron (11.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.2 steals across 28 games) became Cairns’ leading contributors, while Smith (10 points and 3 rebounds across 28 games), Weeks (8.3 points across 28 games), Evans Jr (7.5 points and 4.6 rebounds across 22 games), Weigh (5.7 points across 18 games), Jawai (5.4 points across 7 games) and Egwu (5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) provided support. Gliddon and McCarron shared the Taipans’ Most Valuable Player award, while Loughton collected the Members’ Choice MVP, Coaches Award and Players’ Player awards and McCarron was named Best Defensive Player.

The season was also Fearne’s last as head coach, with Cairns deciding not to renew his contract following a 19-year association with the organisation, including nine seasons as head coach.

Carrera had been released more than two months earlier when Cairns closed the season against Perth at Perth Arena on February 18, where Gliddon (12 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) and Evans Jr (12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block) led the Taipans, while Cotton (24 points and 6 assists) powered the Wildcats to an 89-61 win. Cairns finished sixth with an 11-17 record and missed the playoffs.

Damon Heuir played four seasons the Cairns Taipans. He averaged 2.8 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 74 NBL games.