Taran Armstrong Signs Professional Contract in Australia
4/18/2023 10:02:00 AM | Men's Basketball
RIVERSIDE--- After two seasons with California Baptist University, point guard Taran Armstrong has signed with the Cairns Taipans of the National Basketball League.
The Taipans are located in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, and have been a member of the NBL since 1999. The Taipans are two-time Grand Finalists and won the Regular Season Championship in 2015. The NBL has sent several players to the NBA, including rising stars like LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey, and Dyson Daniels.
Armstrong spent his freshman and sophomore seasons with the Lancers, racking up multiple conference awards and leading the team and conference in assists. Taran was the Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year in 2021 and was named to the All-WAC Second Team in 2022. Armstrong also became the sixth fastest active player to reach the 300-assist mark in 2022, achieving the feat in 53 games.
Armstrong led the Lancers in scoring and assists as a sophomore and racked up five 20-point games. He scored a career-high 25 points on an efficient 10-12 shooting against Southern Utah and poured in 24 points on five made triples vs. Minnesota in the SoCal Challenge last season.
During his injury-shortened freshman campaign, Armstrong had four double-digit assist games, including 15 in a win over North Dakota. Armstrong recorded a triple-double in a home thriller over San Jose State in 2021, going for 16 points, 12 assists, and ten rebounds.
Head Coach Rick Croy talked about Armstrong's impact on the program,
"We are thankful for the opportunity to coach Taran and are grateful for the numerous contributions he made to our program. It was a privilege to partner with him in making his dream a reality, and we are excited for him and his family."
Taran becomes the latest in a long list of student-athletes to play professionally after playing under Croy,
"There is no doubt he is going to have a long and successful professional career, and we can't wait to follow along in his journey with the (Cairns) Taipans."
Armstrong will join Lancer alum Buol Kuol, who spent four seasons with CBU.
The Taipans are located in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, and have been a member of the NBL since 1999. The Taipans are two-time Grand Finalists and won the Regular Season Championship in 2015. The NBL has sent several players to the NBA, including rising stars like LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddey, and Dyson Daniels.
Armstrong spent his freshman and sophomore seasons with the Lancers, racking up multiple conference awards and leading the team and conference in assists. Taran was the Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year in 2021 and was named to the All-WAC Second Team in 2022. Armstrong also became the sixth fastest active player to reach the 300-assist mark in 2022, achieving the feat in 53 games.
Armstrong led the Lancers in scoring and assists as a sophomore and racked up five 20-point games. He scored a career-high 25 points on an efficient 10-12 shooting against Southern Utah and poured in 24 points on five made triples vs. Minnesota in the SoCal Challenge last season.
During his injury-shortened freshman campaign, Armstrong had four double-digit assist games, including 15 in a win over North Dakota. Armstrong recorded a triple-double in a home thriller over San Jose State in 2021, going for 16 points, 12 assists, and ten rebounds.
Head Coach Rick Croy talked about Armstrong's impact on the program,
"We are thankful for the opportunity to coach Taran and are grateful for the numerous contributions he made to our program. It was a privilege to partner with him in making his dream a reality, and we are excited for him and his family."
Taran becomes the latest in a long list of student-athletes to play professionally after playing under Croy,
"There is no doubt he is going to have a long and successful professional career, and we can't wait to follow along in his journey with the (Cairns) Taipans."
Armstrong will join Lancer alum Buol Kuol, who spent four seasons with CBU.
Players Mentioned
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