PLAYING strength and stability were the two factors that attracted former Sydney Kings centre Ian Crosswhite to sign with the Cairns Taipans for the forthcoming NBL season.

Crosswhite was due to fly into Cairns last night and is scheduled to have his first training run with his new teammates this morning.

The arrival of the 210cm, 115kg goliath follows the departure of the similarly proportioned Nathan Jawai, who is embarking on an NBA career with the Toronto Raptors.

Crosswhite became a free agent last month
after the NBL’s decision to revoke the Sydney Kings’ licence for failing to pay their players.

Crosswhite said the Taipans had everything he was looking for when he was weighing up his career options.

"It’s a good, strong, stable club. Looking at the players they’ve got, I think they are going to be in for a good year," he said.

"I play hard. I’m a team player who likes to get
everyone involved.

"I can score inside but I like to think I can do a bit of everything."

He said as a young player, he had trained with the Sydney Kings and although he always wanted to play with them, it was time for a fresh challenge.

"I think if you stay in the one place too long you can get complacent,’’ he said.

"It’s a big move for me. I grew up in Sydney but I’m looking forward to the change."

Taipans coach Alan Black said Crosswhite was a tremendous addition to the Taipans’ playing
roster.

"He’ll give us that inside strength that we need," he said.

"He’s a real good pick up for us and he’s still only young and has plenty of good years left in him."

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