Sam Waardenburg has signed a one-year extension with the Cairns Taipans, sources told ESPN.
The deal is an extension of the original two-year deal the Kiwi big-man signed with the Taipans back in 2022, which now makes him contracted through the 2024-25 NBL season.
Waardenburg, 24, is currently in the midst of his second season with the Taipans, averaging 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Those counting stats are slightly down from his rookie season in Cairns, where he averaged 11.3 points and 5.6 rebounds a contest.
The 6'10 big first joined the Taipans ahead of the 2022-23 NBL season, after beginning his professional career in Cairns after a five-year stint at the University of Miami.
For his impressive rookie season with the Taipans, Waardenburg won the league's inaugural Next Generation award.
Out of Aukland, Waardenburg made his New Zealand Tall Blacks debut 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Prior to that, he played multiple tournaments with the New Zealand junior national team program.
The Taipans are currently 11-14 on the 2023-24 NBL season.