Reyne-ing in Cairns: Taipans sign Smith

• The Cairns Taipans have signed former Louisville college standout, Reyne Smith to a two-year deal
• He played for both the Denver Nuggets and Washington Wizards at NBA Summer League
• Smith made 3.5 out of 9.1 three-point attempts per game in his final college season

The Cairns Taipans have beaten out interest from European clubs to sign sharpshooter and former Louisville college standout Reyne Smith to a two-year deal, reports ESPN's Olgun Uluc.

Smith joins the Taipans after his final college season at the Louisville Cardinals, where he averaged 13.1 points per game while shooting 39.5% from the three-point line on more than 9.1 attempts per contest from beyond the arc.

Uluc from ESPN reported the second year of the deal is a team option.

The Tasmanian product is the first new signing for the Taipans this offseason, joining a roster which features six players so far, including star big man Sam Waardenburg, Alex Higgins-Titsha, Kyrin Galloway, Kyle Adnam and Kody Stattman under returning coach Adam Forde.

Cairns still have plenty of roster spots to fill, including three imports, but attracting the signature of a bright, young prospect in Smith is a massive step forward for the Taipans roster, especially considering he was expected to sign in Europe over joining the NBL as basketball.com.au recently reported.

Smith also recently spoke to basketball.com.au's Brayden Heslehurst about his ambition to play for the Boomers at major international tournaments in the future.

He has also returned home to Australia after playing NBA Summer League for the Denver Nuggets, and then getting the call-up on thelast day to play for the Washington Wizards.