All-Star Trigger is a fan favourite
CAMERON Tragardh left Melbourne intent on proving himself in the NBL and has received emphatic endorsement from fans and new coach Aaron Fearne.
The former Tigers, Wollongong, Brisbane and Townsville centre received more votes than any other player in the month-long online poll to secure his spot in Adelaide's All-Star game on December 22.
Tragardh had 1401 nominations, almost 300 more than the next-best player, Cedric Jackson.
It comes less than a season after the big man was benched by then-Melbourne coach Trevor Gleeson and confirms that his move north was the right call.
"It's exciting - I remember growing up watching the NBL All-Star game and dreaming (of) one day playing in it," Tragardh said.
"To live that dream is awesome and I want to thank our great Cairns fans as well as fans from all around the league for voting for me."
Fearne said it validated what he Tragardh achieved since joining the club.
He is the league's seventh-ranked scorer (14.7ppg) and second-best offensive rebounder (2.7 per game), and the Taipans' go-to man.
"To be the leading vote-getter shows people have taken note of his performance to date, it's a credit to him," Fearne said.
"He came to Cairns in great shape, and has played with a point to prove which I've been really happy with."
He won't be the only Snake on show in Adelaide, with rookie Clint Steindl chosen as one of five entrants in the three-point showdown.
The Mackay product will have one minute to shoot five shots from five different spots around the arc.
Each made shot will be worth one point, with the exception of the last of the five shots at each position, worth three points.
TEAMS
North All-Stars: Cameron Tragardh (Cairns Taipans), Ben Madgen (Sydney Kings), Adris Deleon (Wollongong Hawks), Darnell Lazare (Sydney Kings), Oscar Forman (Wollongong Hawks).
South All-Stars: Cedric Jackson (NZ Breakers), Kevin Lisch (Perth Wildcats), Thomas Abercrombie (NZ Breakers), Seth Scott (Melbourne Tigers) Daniel Johnson (Adelaide 36ers).
NEW CAIRNS.COM.AU COMMENT POLICY
We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the
condition that they may be edited. Comments submitted without a full name and suburb/location will
not be considered for publication. Please read our full comment policy and publication guidelines.
Share this article
Fan favourite: Cameron Tragardh polled more votes than any other NBL player to be selected for the All-Star game on December 22.
