IF there's one man who can understand the turmoil that occurred at the Taipans last season, it's Dusty Rychart.

Rychart has seen the malaise surrounding the NBL and its clubs first-hand over the past 18 months, experiencing the collapse of the Brisbane Bullets last year and near extinction of Wollongong last season before Hawks fans rallied in a Taipans-inspired community ownership scheme.

Pictures: Dusty Rychart

The Taipans’ newest signing, Rychart decided to join Cairns partly because he sees the team as a strong unit but also because of the community’s support of basketball.

Rychart, who arrived in the Far North at the weekend with partner Meg Schultz, "had a few teams to choose from" and was attractive in the player market after gaining Australian citizenship last month.

"I wanted to go to a team I thought had a chance and it’s a great group of guys and I wanted to have fun again," Rychart told The Cairns Post of choosing the Taipans.

"I wanted to go to a place where with basketball there was a buzz about the place."

Pictures: Cairns Taipans 2008-09

The Taipans’ recent woes may have been off-putting to some players but Rychart said the response of fans to the possibility of losing their only national sporting franchise had been a good sign.

"It is reassuring the community will not let the team go under," he said.

Rychart has been experiencing the passion of Taipans fans for eight seasons as an opposition player and is looking forward to being on the opposite side of the fence.

"It does as an opposition player get to you after a while," he said of the reception reserved for visiting teams.

"It’ll feel good to have them on your side for once."

Rychart has all the attributes to quickly become a fan favourite.

After gaining citizenship last month – "a combination of time (residing in Australia) and praying the government would let me in" – Rychart no longer takes up an import spot on the roster, something the 30-year-old knows is a bonus.

"To make it as an import this long I’ve been very fortunate," the Minnesota product said.

"Once you get older (as an import), that’s when teams start looking for a 24, 25-year-old guy to replace you."

With a career average of 17.85 points a game and 9.1 rebounds, he is a proven performer and has a statline any NBL player would envy.

But there are two qualities above all others that attracted Taipans coach Aaron Fearne to the 218-game veteran: his work ethic and the success he has brought to clubs throughout his eight-season NBL
career.

Share this article