BIO: Jordan Ngatai was born in Wellington (NZ) and raised in Porirua, New Zealand, Ngatai graduated from Mana College before attending Sierra College in the United States for one year.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Jordan Ngatai made his NBL debut with the New Zealand Breakers at 21 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

Ngatai would begin his NBL career as a development player, joining a New Zealand team regrouping after a dismal season, where the team missed out on the NBL playoffs despite having won the previous three seasons in a row. The Breakers chose to replace imports Kerron Johnson and Gary Wilkinson with big man Ekene Ibekwe and fan favourite Cedric Jackson, who had led the team to back-to-back titles previously (2012, 2013).

This season saw the exits of CJ Bruton (retired) and Daryl Corletto (to Melbourne) and replaced with Rhys Carter (via Adelaide) and Tai Wesley, who qualified as a local player due to being born in Guam under the league’s Asian player rule.

Ngatai would appear in only 7 games, failing to score, as the Breakers battled all season long for top spot alongside Perth and Cairns, eventually finishing in second place (19–9). New Zealand would go on to defeat Cairns in the Grand Final, clinching the Breakers fourth title in five seasons.

2015/16
After winning the 2015 NBL Championship and claiming their fourth title in five years, New Zealand retained almost all of its championship-winning roster, with Rhys Carter (to Sydney) and Ekene Ibekwe (to Europe) departing. Shane McDonald (via Nunawading – SEABL) and Charles Jackson (via Tennessee Tech) joined the club, while Alex Pledger entered the season recovering from off-season foot surgery and Thomas Abercrombie dealt with a hamstring strain. New Zealand’s leading scorer also left to trial with the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, with Everard Bartlett (via Hawke’s Bay) added as temporary cover. The Breakers confirmed four players on development contracts after Rookie Camp, with the group training full-time and available for weekly selection.

New Zealand opened the season with a 90-71 loss to Adelaide before falling to 1-3. Corey Webster returned after failing to secure an NBA roster position, Duane Bailey (to Plymouth) was released after three games to create a full-time roster position and Bartlett (4.7 points across 32 games) was retained for the remainder of the season. New Zealand responded by winning nine of its next eleven games.

Ngatai (2 points and 1 assist) made his first appearance of the season against Perth at Vector Arena on December 2, playing the final 55 seconds and making his only field-goal attempt as Abercrombie (23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Pledger (11 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) helped New Zealand defeat the Wildcats 99-78. It would prove to be his best game of the season.

Ngatai (1 point across 2 games) returned for his second season as a development player after spending the 2015 New Zealand NBL season with Manawatu. He did not suffer an injury during the Australian NBL season, with his limited opportunities coming from his development-player status and weekly selection. Unlike the regular-season-only totals carried in some records, he made one regular-season appearance and one playoff appearance under the all-games totals. Reflecting on the pathway after earning a full-time contract the following year, Ngatai said, “For players that aren’t looking to go to College in the States the Breakers are a great option as a development player.”

Webster (19.8 points across 28 games) led New Zealand in scoring and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Abercrombie (14 points and 6.3 rebounds across 31 games), Cedric Jackson (12.8 points, 6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.3 steals across 33 games), Wesley (11.7 points and 4.9 rebounds across 26 games), Charles Jackson (10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds across 33 games), Pledger (6.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across 31 games) and Mika Vukona (6.2 points and 7.4 rebounds across 29 games) formed the main rotation. New Zealand recovered from a six-game losing streak to win its final five regular-season games and finished fourth with a 16-12 record.

Ngatai was not used in game one of New Zealand’s semifinal series against first-placed Melbourne at Hisense Arena, where Cedric Jackson (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals), Abercrombie (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) and Vukona (11 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) helped the Breakers recover from a seven-point second-half deficit to win 91-82, while Hakim Warrick (24 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks) led Melbourne.

Game two moved to Vector Arena, where Ngatai (0 points) played the final 26 seconds as Abercrombie (23 points and 4 rebounds), Cedric Jackson (19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Wesley (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led New Zealand, while Chris Goulding (23 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Melbourne. The Breakers pulled away during the fourth quarter for a 91-78 victory, completed the 2-0 sweep and advanced to their fifth Grand Final in six seasons.

Ngatai was not used during the Grand Final series. Perth hosted game one at Perth Arena, where Webster (19 points and 2 steals), Cedric Jackson (14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Charles Jackson (11 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks) led New Zealand, while Nathan Jawai (15 points) and Matthew Knight (14 points and 5 rebounds) helped Perth win 82-76.

Game two returned to Auckland, where Cedric Jackson (13 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals), Abercrombie (12 points and 5 rebounds), Pledger (11 points and 4 rebounds) and Wesley (11 points and 2 steals) led New Zealand. Jermaine Beal (20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Jesse Wagstaff (13 points) led Perth, but Webster (10 points) made a crucial three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining before the Breakers held on for a 72-68 victory and forced a deciding game.

The deciding game returned to Perth Arena in front of 13,090 fans, where Abercrombie (21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals) was New Zealand’s only player to reach double figures and Charles Jackson (7 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 block) battled inside. Casey Prather (19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Damian Martin (10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block) led Perth, with Martin holding Cedric Jackson scoreless before he fouled out early in the fourth quarter. Martin was named Grand Final MVP as Perth claimed its seventh NBL championship and handed New Zealand its first playoff series loss to the Wildcats and first Grand Final series defeat with a 75-52 victory.

2016/17
Following New Zealand’s 2016 Grand Final loss to Perth, chief executive Richard Clarke and coach Dean Vickerman departed, with Paul Henare promoted from assistant to head coach and Dillon Boucher taking over as general manager. Cedric Jackson (to Melbourne) and Tai Wesley (to Melbourne) also left, while Thomas Abercrombie, Corey Webster, Alex Pledger and captain Mika Vukona returned. Kirk Penney (via Illawarra), Robert Loe (via Limburg United), Ben Woodside (via Türk Telekom) and Akil Mitchell (via Antibes) joined the roster, while Finn Delany and Shea Ili were elevated from development player roles.

Jordan Ngatai had spent the previous two seasons as a Breakers development player before being promoted to the full-time roster on a one-year deal in August. His signing followed a strong offseason which included making the Tall Blacks squad for the Olympic qualifying tournament and touring China with the New Zealand Select team. “When I got the call up for the Tall Blacks I thought it was a chance for me to make a statement to Pauli,” Ngatai said. His promotion filled New Zealand’s final local roster position, with Ngatai expected to provide depth behind Abercrombie and Penney on the wing.

Ngatai did not play in New Zealand’s opening 76-71 victory over Melbourne and remained outside the regular rotation during the opening weeks. Ngatai made his first appearance of the season against Adelaide at Vector Arena on October 29, where Ngatai (2 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block) played 4:25 from the bench. Penney (27 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal) and Webster (22 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) led New Zealand, while Nathan Sobey (32 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) was Adelaide’s best as the Breakers won 119-93 and recorded their highest score since the NBL moved to 40-minute games.

Ngatai (1.3 points across 3 games) remained at the end of Henare’s rotation despite holding a full-time roster position. His best game was the Adelaide victory, while his second appearance came against Illawarra on November 18, where Ngatai (2 points) made both of his free throws during the final minute as New Zealand won 100-85. He continued to receive significant playing time with the Breakers Development team between senior appearances rather than being sidelined through injury.

New Zealand’s season was disrupted by a series of injuries and import changes. Woodside (8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.3 steals across 6 games) ruptured the plantar fascia in his right foot and was replaced by David Stockton (via Cedevita Zagreb), while Webster (11.7 points across 15 games) eventually underwent season-ending hip surgery and Abercrombie (11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds across 21 games) missed time with a broken hand. Paul Carter (via ALBA Berlin) joined as Webster’s injury replacement before Stockton (8.3 points and 4.2 assists across 10 games) and Woodside were released and Kevin Dillard (via Pınar Karşıyaka) was signed for the remainder of the season.

Ngatai’s third and final appearance came against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on January 29, where he played a season-high 10:51 and finished with 0 points and 1 rebound. Penney (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) led New Zealand, while Greg Whittington (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals) helped Sydney defeat the Breakers 84-57.

Dillard (18.1 points, 4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.6 steals across 9 games) and Penney (17.4 points and 3.4 rebounds across 28 games) powered New Zealand’s late playoff push, while Mitchell (9.5 points and 7.2 rebounds across 25 games), Pledger (8.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 28 games), Loe (7.1 points and 3.4 rebounds across 26 games) and Vukona (6.5 points and 5.1 rebounds across 27 games) supplied the other major contributions. Penney was named the Breakers’ club MVP.

Ngatai was not used in New Zealand’s final game against Melbourne at Vector Arena on February 10, where Dillard (16 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Penney (15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block) led the Breakers and Casper Ware (23 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) was Melbourne’s best as New Zealand won 88-70 and finished fifth with a 14-14 record.

2017/18
After an injury-riddled 2016/17 season ended with New Zealand missing the playoffs at 14-14, Paul Henare entered his second season as head coach without Kevin Dillard, Akil Mitchell, Paul Carter and David Stockton, while Ben Woodside retired. Corey Webster (to Perth) also departed after the Breakers declined the third-year option on his contract and was released by the Wildcats before the season. With three import positions available, New Zealand signed Edgar Sosa and DJ Newbill, added James Hunter to the full-time roster and initially kept the third import position open. On August 23, Jordan Ngatai was confirmed on the full-time roster alongside development players Derone Raukawa and Mitchell Newton and non-contracted development player Daniel Fotu.

Ngatai (2.8 points across 17 games) remained a reserve wing and saw his opportunities fluctuate behind New Zealand’s established perimeter rotation. His 17 appearances were primarily a product of rotation opportunity rather than a lengthy injury absence, with his minutes increasing considerably late in the season when the Breakers were short-handed. After losing their opening game, New Zealand won nine consecutive games to reach 9-1, the best start in franchise history and first place on the ladder.

New Zealand used its vacant third import position on January 8 to add Rakeem Christmas for the remainder of the season. James Hunter (2.5 points across 2 games) was released to create the roster spot, with Henare stressing that the decision was not performance related and saying, “Releasing Jimmy was extremely hard, he is a victim of circumstance.” Christmas (7.6 points and 5.7 rebounds across 12 games) gave the Breakers another interior option for the closing stages of the season.

Ngatai’s best game came in New Zealand’s final regular-season game against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena on February 18. With Edgar Sosa, Kirk Penney and Alex Pledger unavailable, Ngatai (17 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) played 21 minutes and shot 6-of-8 from the field, 4-of-5 from three-point range and 1-of-1 at the free-throw line. He scored nine quick points during the second quarter as New Zealand took a 48-42 halftime lead, while Christmas (13 points and 9 rebounds) and Robert Loe (13 points) also scored in double figures. Sydney drew level at 68-68 through three quarters before Jason Cadee (30 points) caught fire in the fourth and Todd Blanchfield (19 points and 6 rebounds) helped the Kings win 101-86. The result was New Zealand’s fourth consecutive loss and left the Breakers fourth at 15-13.

Sosa (15.8 points and 3.8 assists across 28 games) led New Zealand in scoring and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Newbill (13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals across 30 games) provided another major backcourt option. Penney (10.1 points across 22 games), Thomas Abercrombie (9.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 30 games), Shea Ili (9.3 points and 3.1 assists across 30 games), Loe (7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 30 games), Pledger (6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds across 28 games) and Mika Vukona (6.2 points and 6.1 rebounds across 30 games) rounded out the main rotation, with Ili named the NBL Most Improved Player. Newbill, Abercrombie, Ili, Loe and Vukona each appeared in all 30 of New Zealand’s regular-season and playoff games.

Ngatai was not used in game one of New Zealand’s semifinal series against Melbourne at Hisense Arena. Newbill (19 points and 3 steals) and Ili (16 points and 5 assists) led the Breakers, while Casper Ware (33 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) powered Melbourne to an 88-77 win and a 1-0 series lead.

Ngatai again remained out of the rotation for game two at Spark Arena, where Newbill (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists), Penney (17 points) and Loe (16 points and 2 steals) pushed Melbourne to overtime. Josh Boone (33 points, 15 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks) scored the winning put-back in the final second as United won 88-86 and completed the 2-0 sweep in Penney’s final NBL game.

2018/19
In 2018, a new regime was brought about at the Breakers organisation. In February, a consortium headed by former NBA player Matt Walsh became the majority shareholders via a newly formed company called Breakers Basketball Ltd, thus ending the 13-year Liz and Paul Blackwell ownership team.

Next came the exodus of four of the franchise’s most long-serving figures during the off-season. Paul Henare’s 15 years as player and coach came to an end, New Zealand’s all-time leading scorer Kirk Penney retired, and Alex Pledger (to Melbourne), Mika Vukona (to Brisbane), and Robert Loe (to Cairns) all signed deals elsewhere.

Thomas Abercrombie would step into the role of captain with Vukona’s exit, and former player Kevin Braswell signed up to be the team’s new head coach. Braswell was tasked with remaking the Breakers squad, which included bringing back Tai Wesley (via Melbourne) and Corey Webster (via Europe) on a three-year deal. Jarrad Weeks (via Cairns) and Majok Majok (via Melbourne) were also added to the local roster, while Patrick Richard, Armani Moore, and Shawn Long signed as import players.

Jordan Ngatai remained with New Zealand after being elevated from development player to the full-time roster two seasons earlier. He entered his fifth season with the Breakers after being part of New Zealand’s bronze medal-winning team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. During the preseason, the Breakers travelled to the United States to face the Phoenix Suns, where Ngatai (0 points and 1 rebound) played four minutes as New Zealand pushed the NBA side before falling 91-86 behind Webster (27 points and 7 assists) and Wesley (15 points and 7 rebounds), while Deandre Ayton (21 points and 15 rebounds) led Phoenix.

Ngatai (1.1 points across 15 games) saw his role decrease after receiving more opportunities the previous season. He averaged less than four minutes when used and did not suffer a documented injury during the season, with his limited appearances resulting from his place deep in Braswell’s rotation.

One of his better opportunities came against Perth on November 25, where Ngatai (3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) played eight minutes and made his only field-goal attempt, a three-pointer, but New Zealand fell 91-86. Wesley (16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) and Moore (16 points) led the Breakers, while Nick Kay (22 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Perth.

Ngatai (2 points and 1 rebound) played three minutes against Melbourne on February 1 and made one of his two field-goal attempts, but United defeated New Zealand 107-87 behind Chris Goulding (24 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block), while Moore (17 points) and Long (15 points and 5 rebounds) led the Breakers.

Ngatai’s best game of the season came against Illawarra in Wellington on February 14, where Ngatai (10 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist) played a season-high 14 minutes, made 5-of-5 from the free-throw line and helped New Zealand record the highest score in a 40-minute NBL game at the time with a 130-96 victory. Long (21 points and 8 rebounds) and Weeks (19 points) led the Breakers, while Daniel Grida (17 points) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Long (18.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks) led New Zealand in scoring and earned All-NBL Second Team honours and the Breakers Club MVP award, while Wesley (14.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists), Richard (11 points and 3.6 rebounds), Webster (10.4 points), Weeks (10.1 points), Abercrombie (8.5 points and 5.1 rebounds), Delany (8 points), Ili (7.9 points), and Moore (7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds) were the team’s other key contributors. Weeks finished runner-up for both Best Sixth Man and Most Improved Player.

Ngatai did not exit the Breakers following the season and remained with New Zealand for 2019/20. He would eventually leave the club after six seasons when Ngatai (to Cairns) signed with the Taipans in 2020 seeking greater playing opportunities.

Ngatai did not play when New Zealand closed the season in Brisbane on February 16, where Long (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks) and Wesley (17 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Breakers, while Lamar Patterson (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) carried Brisbane to an 84-78 victory that secured the Bullets’ first playoff appearance since 2008 as New Zealand finished sixth with a 12-16 record.

2019/20
New Zealand entered the 2019/20 season under new coach and Director of Basketball Dan Shamir after finishing sixth at 12-16 the previous year. Shea Ili (to Melbourne), Shawn Long (to Melbourne) and Tai Wesley (to South East Melbourne) were among those who departed, while Jordan Ngatai returned for his sixth season with the Breakers, having originally joined the club as a development player in 2014 before being elevated to the full-time roster in 2016.

His first appearance came against Illawarra on October 24, where the reserve forward (0 points and 1 rebound) played three minutes in New Zealand’s 103-72 victory at Spark Arena. Henry (21 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Hopson (17 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists) led the Breakers, while Brooks (19 points) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Ngatai (1.2 points across 22 games) remained in a limited role under Shamir and no injury was reported during the season, with six games in which he did not appear.

Ngatai’s season-high scoring performance came against Adelaide on January 31, where Ngatai (8 points, 1 rebound, and 2 steals) made three of his four shots and produced a steal before a powerful dunk as New Zealand defeated the 36ers 113-89 at Spark Arena. Abercrombie (31 points and 3 assists) made seven three-pointers and Delany (21 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks) recorded a double-double, while Daniel Johnson (24 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Adelaide. The win was New Zealand’s eighth in 11 games and kept its playoff hopes alive.

Hopson (18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists across 21 games), Henry (13.2 points and 3.4 assists across 26 games), Abercrombie (11.8 points and 4.3 rebounds across 28 games), Delany (11.8 points and 5.7 rebounds across 20 games), Ashley (10.5 points and 6.3 rebounds across 28 games), Loe (9.3 points and 4 rebounds across 20 games), Hampton (8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds across 15 games), Weeks (5.6 points across 25 games), Webster (19.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 11 games) and Rice Jr (25 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals across 3 games) were New Zealand’s major contributors. After falling to 4-10, the Breakers won 11 of their final 14 games.

Ngatai’s best game came in New Zealand’s final regular-season game against South East Melbourne in Christchurch on February 14, where Ngatai (5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 3 blocks) played 13 minutes in a 92-83 victory. Hopson (23 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals) and Abercrombie (18 points and 5 rebounds) led New Zealand, while John Roberson (15 points and 8 assists) led the Phoenix. The game proved to be Ngatai’s final appearance for the Breakers before he left the club after six seasons (to Cairns) on a two-year deal, with New Zealand finishing sixth at 15-13 and missing the playoffs on points percentage.

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2020/21
After finishing third with a 16-12 record and falling one win short of the Grand Final the previous season, Cairns entered NBL21 looking to build on its breakthrough year under coach Mike Kelly. The NBL reducing the import limit from three to two saw DJ Newbill depart (to Japan), while Scott Machado and Cameron Oliver returned and Nathan Jawai re-signed on a two-year deal. NBA prospect Mojave King was also added through the Next Stars program.

After six seasons with the New Zealand Breakers, Jordan Ngatai signed with Cairns on a two-year deal, with the second season a club option, giving him his first NBL contract outside New Zealand and an opportunity to earn a larger role. Ngatai had spent the offseason helping the Otago Nuggets win the 2020 NZNBL championship before joining Cairns. “Jordan is a talented, tough, team-first player. He’s got an ability to shoot the three, attack the rim with ferocity and defend multiple positions,” said Kelly.

Cairns opened the season against Sydney at the Cairns Pop-Up Arena on January 16, where Ngatai (1 point) came from the bench as the Taipans recovered from six points down entering the fourth quarter to win 87-86. Machado (17 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 steal) and Mirko Djeric (15 points and 4 rebounds) led Cairns, while Casper Ware (18 points) was Sydney’s leading scorer.

Ngatai (6.7 points across 36 games) went on to produce the best NBL season of his career, starting 23 games and making a career-high 59 three-pointers. After playing limited minutes early in the season, Ngatai made his first start against his former team when Djeric was sidelined with a hamstring injury, while the season-ending injury suffered by Kouat Noi later opened additional minutes and a larger role. Ngatai appeared in all 36 games and did not miss a game through injury.

Ngatai first reached his season-high against Illawarra in the opening game of the NBL Cup at John Cain Arena on February 20, making five three-pointers and finishing with 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal. Machado (31 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) and Djeric (16 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists) provided support, while Tyler Harvey (24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led Illawarra. Cairns recovered from 12 points down midway through the third quarter and outscored the Hawks 56-38 across the final 15 minutes to win 101-95.

Ngatai’s best game of the season came against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on April 2, where he matched his season-high with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block while making four of his six three-point attempts. Oliver (19 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 1 block) led Cairns and Jawai (13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) provided support, while Jock Landale (20 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists) led Melbourne to a 95-85 win. With Noi and Majok Deng both sidelined, Ngatai’s increased role saw him produce the best stretch of basketball of his NBL career.

Cairns’ season was heavily disrupted by injuries and departures. Oliver (17.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks) led the team in scoring and rebounding before being waived on compassionate grounds after 24 games when complications with his wife’s pregnancy required him to return to the United States, with Venky Jois (6.4 points and 5.1 rebounds, via Pirot) signed as his replacement. Machado (15.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 7 assists) missed only one game after suffering a heavy cork above his knee, while Deng (12 points and 4.5 rebounds) missed 16 games after suffering a partial tear of his left MCL and Noi (10.1 points and 4.4 rebounds) missed the final 18 games after suffering a PCL tear. Tad Dufelmeier Jr (6 points) was elevated from training player as an injury replacement and Hyrum Harris (via Illawarra) was later added as a nominated injury replacement.

Djeric (8.6 points) made a career-high 66 three-pointers, Jawai (8.3 points and 3.8 rebounds) played all 36 games and recorded four 20-point games for the first time since his rookie NBL season, while King (6.2 points) and Fabijan Krslovic (5.1 points and 3.4 rebounds) were also regular contributors.

Cairns closed its season against New Zealand at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua on June 2, where Ngatai (6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal) hobbled from the court with a suspected leg injury during the final minutes. Machado (21 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists, and 1 steal) and Jawai (14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) led Cairns, while Tai Webster (23 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) led New Zealand to an 84-78 win as the Taipans finished ninth with an 8-28 record.

2021/22
After finishing ninth with an 8-28 record and missing the playoffs, Cairns replaced Mike Kelly with former Sydney coach Adam Forde and lost leading scorer Cameron Oliver (to Houston), Fabijan Krslovic (to Tasmania) and Mojave King (to Adelaide). Forde retained captain Scott Machado, Majok Deng, Kouat Noi, Nathan Jawai, Mirko Djeric and Jarrod Kenny, while adding Tahjere McCall (via Orléans), Stephen Zimmerman (via Nymburk), Keanu Pinder (via Adelaide) and rookie Bul Kuol (via Detroit Mercy).

Cairns exercised the club option on the second season of Jordan Ngatai’s two-year deal, keeping him with the Taipans after he had joined from New Zealand in search of a larger role.

A right-foot injury suffered at training two days before the season opener kept him in Cairns while the Taipans travelled to Perth. After Cairns lost 90-67, Ngatai (3 points across 23 games) returned to the active roster for the December 11 home opener but remained unused against Tasmania and Adelaide before first taking the court on December 31. He later remained an unused substitute against Brisbane on February 24 and Sydney on March 13, with no further injury announced, meaning the right-foot injury accounted for one of the five games in which he did not play and the other four were spent on the bench. Ngatai made four starts during February but otherwise worked from the bench.

Ngatai’s best scoring game came at the Cairns Convention Centre on January 29, where he finished with 12 points and 1 steal as Illawarra defeated Cairns 94-75. McCall (19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks) and Pinder (15 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 block) led the Taipans, while Harvey (24 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal) was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Ngatai’s best game came at the Cairns Convention Centre on February 14, where he made two three-pointers and finished with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Deng (21 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Pinder (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) supported him, but Wetzell (23 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals, and 1 block) led New Zealand to an 84-83 win.

Marshall Nelson (via Perth Redbacks) was added as an injury replacement for Machado in December and released in March, while unpaid training player Ben Ayre was elevated to the active roster in April as Cairns continued to manage injuries throughout the roster.

Cairns never fielded its full-strength roster, with McCall (16.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2 steals across 22 games) leading the team in scoring, assists and steals and sharing the club MVP award with Machado (10.2 points, 3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across 18 games). Deng (14.3 points and 4.7 rebounds across 28 games) finished second in scoring, while Zimmerman (11.4 points and 9.6 rebounds across 16 games) led Cairns in rebounding before a right-knee injury ended his season. Pinder (10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds across 28 games) was named the NBL’s Most Improved Player, Kuol (10.4 points and 2.7 rebounds across 28 games) made an Australian rookie-record 64 three-pointers and was named Rookie of the Year, while Noi (8.4 points and 4.6 rebounds across 16 games), Ayre (6.6 points and 3.8 assists across 8 games) and Jawai (5.9 points and 2.7 rebounds across 19 games) were the other main contributors.

After two seasons with Cairns, Ngatai (to Wellington) was not offered another contract and returned to the Saints, making 2021/22 his final NBL season.

Ngatai’s final NBL appearance came at the Cairns Convention Centre on April 23, where he finished with 2 points and 1 rebound as McCall (42 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block) and Deng (30 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) led Cairns to a 112-98 win over Brisbane, while Franks (30 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) led the Bullets. The victory completed Cairns’ first 4-0 Sunshine Stoush sweep, produced the highest team score of NBL22 and saw the Taipans finish ninth with a 9-19 record.

Jordan Ngatai played eight seasons in the NBL, playing for both the New Zealand Breakers and the Cairns Taipans. He averaged 3.2 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 125 NBL games.