Shane Edwards sign for Skytrans Cairns Taipans

The Australian NBL team Skytrans Cairns Taipans are pleased to announce the completion of the 2012/13 contracted playing roster, with the signing of 25 year-old, American-born forward, Shane Edwards.

Edwards, 201cm and 100kg, has had a notable college and pro-career, and will add depth and athleticism to the Taipans front court, along side Alex Loughton, Dusty Rychart and Cam Tragardh.
Edwards attended the University of Arkansas Little Rock from 2007-09, finishing his senior year as Sun Belt West Division, regular season champs. In his final year with Arkansas, Edwards averaged 11.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game and was named NABC Division 1 All-District 24 First Team and All-Sun Belt 1st Team.

Since graduating from college, Edwards spent his first two seasons in the NBA Development League before heading to Italy for a short stint with Tezenis Verona.
In his first season in the D-League with the Albuquerque Thunderbirds he averaged 12.7 points and 5.3 rebounds over 39 games and was ranked third overall in the league for field goal percentage, shooting 62.7 percent from the field.

He then spent the 2010-11 pre-season with the Denver Nuggets (NBA) before signing with the New Mexico Thunderbirds (NBA D-League). In 45 games with the Thunderbirds, Edwards averaged 16.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He was named in the NBA D-League Western Conference All-Star Team, and also received All-D-League Honorable Mention accolades, at season’s end.
Over the course of 2011, Edward also had work outs with the San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA.
Described as a long athletic, mobile forward, with a solid inside game, Edwards also has the ability to stretch the floor by being able to knock down the open shot – all of which were attractive qualities for head coach, Aaron Fearne.

“I’ve been following Shane’s progress for a few years now,” Fearne said. “The development in his skill package has been impressive and I look forward to him adding that to our group.”
“He will add length, mobility and athleticism to our front court, which will compliment the skill packages of the big men we already have in our roster.”
Edwards will wear singlet #0 and is expected to arrive in Cairns on the 30th of August, before traveling with the team to Tamworth to take on the Sydney Kings in a pre-season match. Taipans fans will get their first look at Edwards when the Snakes host the Perth Wildcats on Friday 14 August.