Rockets star off to Cairns

Republik Nightclub Rockets point guard Mitch Philp is off to Cairns to play for the Taipans.

Chris Ison

WHEN one door closes another one opens, just ask Republik Nightclub Rockets guard Mitch Philp.

After a number of setbacks during recent months, Philp signed his first ever NBL contract with 2010/11 runner-up Cairns Taipans and will join the club on Monday.

The ecstatic Philp told The Morning Bulletin yesterday he was signed as a development player for the next 12 months and in the initial stages he would suit up for the Taipans at home games.

"I have no expectations to play big minutes or anything," he said.

"I'm just looking forward to the everyday life of a professional basketballer and getting up there and doing that."

But, it could've been all so different.

After finding out midway through the season he was ineligible to return to college in the United States, Philp had his sights on breaking into the NBL.

Following the Rockets grand final loss to Mackay in September, Philp was set to tour China with NBL club Adelaide 36ers in the hope of impressing head coach Marty Clarke enough to earn a development spot on the club's roster for the 2011/12 NBL season.

The trip was cancelled, and all ties were cut with the 36ers.

Another opportunity presented to tour China with the Basketball Queensland All-Star team a week later, but again, it was cancelled.

Third time lucky and instead Philp suited up for the All-Star team in the NBL Sunshine State Challenge pre-season competition final round last weekend in Brisbane.

Facing 2010/11 NBL grand finalists Cairns Taipans, the All-Stars, which also featured Philp's Rockets team mate Ryan Jeffries, were thumped 98-63, but Philp finished second in scoring with 11 points, and sparked interest from Taipans' head coach Aaron Fearn.

"It probably started back in my first game in Cairns last year," he said. "I was MVP up there in Cairns and I think I caught (Fearn's) eye then, especially against Kerry Williams.

"He was playing for the Marlins then and he's the Taipans' back-up point guard now."

Philp received the email he was awaiting on Wednesday night and as an official Taipans player is excited to live out a childhood dream.

"Every young kid wants to play professional basketball and now I've got the opportunity to do that now," he said.

Rockets coach Neal Tweedy praised Philp's drive to progress to the next level and said he deserved the opportunity.

"Very much so. He's been our starting point guard now for the last two seasons," Tweedy said.

"Since he's been with us he's been to four grand finals so he's obviously doing something right.

"He's got an opportunity now that he's been on the verge of for a couple years."

Philp said he had no plans to join the Rockets' fierce QBL rivals Cairns Marlins after the completion of the NBL season.