Career Highlights: Played briefly for Midland College in Texas before returning home to Australia to play professionally with the Cairns Taipans in the National Basketball League. Earned Second Team All-NBL honors in 2007-08 and was unanimously selected as the NBL Rookie of the Year. Named MVP of the 2008 NBL All-Star Game after registering 24 points and 12 rebounds. A member of the Australian National Team. Was a member of the Australian Team that finished in fourth place at the 2005 U21 World Championships held in Mar de Plata, but did not play due to injury.

2007-08: With Cairns, averaged 17.7 points and 9.6 rebounds. Ranked third in the NBL in rebounding, fifth in field goal percentage (.575) and ninth in blocked shots (1.0 bpg). Scored 20 or more points 12 times. Posted 13 double-doubles. Recorded a career-high 28 points on 13-for-16 shooting and pulled down 15 rebounds at Townsville. Grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds and added 22 points at Sydney. Registered 25 points and 16 rebounds vs. Singapore.

2006-07: At Midland College, averaged 11.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.0 blocked shots in 23.9 minutes a contest before leaving the team and returning home to Australia after 13 games.

Strengths: Possesses a huge frame and a massive wingspan of 7-5. Runs the floor well and has nimble feet.

Personal: Nicknames include “Baby Shaq” and “Aussie Shaq” for his resemblance to Shaquille O’Neal. Grew up in the city of Bamaga, a small town of about 1,000 people located north of the Jardine River. Started playing basketball at the age of 15. Teammates during his two years at the Australian Institute of Sport in 2005 and 2006 include fellow NBA Draft candidate Joe Ingles, Washington State junior Aaron Baynes, Utah sophomore Steven Weigh and college freshmen Andrew Ogilvy of Vanderbilt and Patrick Mills of St. Mary’s (Calif.).