AARON Grabau may be a veteran, but don't start calling him old. The reborn Cairns Taipans yesterday announced Grabau as their first official signing for the upcoming NBL season.
The 31-year-old played in the Taipans’ first game in 1999 and has been there through the many ups and downs during the club’s tumultuous history.
Grabau’s history in Cairns, plus the fact the club has already retired his jersey number, has led some fans to believe he is one of the older players in the league.
But compared with former NBL players such as Darryl McDonald and Leroy Loggins, Grabau is a youngster.
"I’ve got a lot more years left in me, I’m only 31," Grabau said yesterday.
"I always get asked if this is my last season but I say I’m not the oldest. Leroy was 43. I’m not going to play that long but I’ve got a few more years left in me.
"My body is feeling really good and as long as my body is feeling good I’ll keep going."
A love of the team, the city and the fans proved an irresistible combination for Grabau.
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The Taipans have committed to being more community focused this year, building on the support they received after being placed in administration in December.
Grabau said he would relish being involved in re-engaging with the fans.
"The whole town got behind us last season and hopefully we’ll be doing a lot of promotions and getting young kids interesting in the sport again and back to games," he said.
"That’s what the whole league is about now: getting young kids back on courts and getting them back into basketball."
While the Melbourne Tigers will be raging championship favourites in 2009-10, Grabau said success would depend on team chemistry.
"Some teams, they can stack their teams as much as they can but it just depends on how teams play together and jell together," he said.
Grabau has played 305 games for the Taipans after starting his career with the Geelong Supercats in 1996.
Grabau said he would be keen to continue in his role as a defence warrior.
"It’s pretty much what I’ve been doing the last couple of years, getting out there and playing hard defensively and hitting open shots," he said.
Taipans coach Aaron Fearne said Grabau was exactly type of player Taipans needed.
"Aaron is one of the top defensive players in the league and is passionate about this club and taking it forward in its pursuit of winning a championship," Fearne said.
