Taran Armstrong
{{short description|Australian basketball player (born 2002)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Taran Armstrong
| image =
| caption =
| position = Point guard
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lb = 190
| league = NBA
| team = Golden State Warriors
| number = 1
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2002|1|15}}
| birth_place = Burnie, Tasmania, Australia
| high_school = Marist Regional College
(Burnie, Tasmania)
| college = California Baptist (2021–2023)
| draft_year = 2024
| career_start = 2018
| career_end =
| years1 = 2018–2020
| team1 = BA Centre of Excellence
| years2 = 2021
| team2 = North-West Tasmania Thunder
| years3 = 2023–2025
| team3 = Cairns Taipans
| years4 = {{nbay|2024|end}}–present
| team4 = Golden State Warriors
| years5 = 2025–present
| team5 = →Santa Cruz Warriors
| highlights =
- Second-team All-WAC (2023)
- WAC Freshman of the Year (2022)
}}
Taran Armstrong (born 15 January 2002) is an Australian professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA G League. He played two seasons of college basketball in the United States for the California Baptist Lancers before joining the Cairns Taipans of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 2023. After two seasons with the Taipans, he joined the Golden State Warriors in February 2025.
Early life and career
Armstrong was born in Burnie, Tasmania.{{cite news |last1=Grant |first1=Jake |title=Tasmanian 'elite talent' US bound after NBA signing |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-25/tasmanian-taran-armstrong-signs-with-nba/104975632 |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=ABC News |date=24 February 2025 |language=en-AU}} He began playing organised basketball around the age of five or six, inspired by watching his father and uncle compete together in the North West Basketball Union (NWBU).{{cite news |last1=Hersz |first1=Tom |title=Taran Armstrong has no fear |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/taran-armstrong-has-no-fear |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=9 November 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Shephard |first1=Shannon |title=The next generation |url=https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/698813/the-next-generation/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=The Advocate |date=8 November 2011 |language=en-AU}} Armstrong attended Marist Regional College in Burnie{{cite book |title=Kalori 2015 |url=https://mrc.tas.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/2015-Kalori.pdf |access-date=11 November 2024 |publisher=Marist Regional College |page=99 }} and played for both Burnie and Wynyard in the NWBU.{{cite news |title=Close season tipped |url=https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/5218367/close-season-tipped/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=The Advocate |date=8 February 2018 |language=en-AU}}
Armstrong moved to Canberra in mid 2018 after being awarded an NBA Global Academy scholarship with Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence.{{cite news |title=Scholarship for Armstrong |url=https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/5551468/scholarship-for-armstrong/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=The Advocate |date=27 July 2018 |language=en-AU}} He spent three years with the BA Centre of Excellence, playing four games in the South East Australian Basketball League in 2018, five games in the NBL1 in the 2019 season, and two games in the Waratah League in 2020.{{cite web |title=Taran Armstrong, Basketball Player, News, Stats - australiabasket |url=https://basketball.australiabasket.com/player/Taran-Armstrong/470402 |website=Eurobasket LLC |access-date=10 November 2024 |url-access=subscription}} He also helped Tasmania claim a bronze medal at the 2020 Under 20 National Championships after averaging 25 points per game.{{cite news |title=Armstrong to join brother in US college system |url=https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/6892521/armstrong-to-join-brother-in-us-college-system/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=The Advocate |date=24 August 2020 |language=en-AU}}{{cite news |title=Lancers Land #2 Prospect From Australia |url=https://cbulancers.com/news/2020/11/10/mens-basketball-lancers-land-top-prospect-from-australia.aspx |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=CBU Athletics |date=11 November 2020 |language=en}}
In 2021, Armstrong played seven games for the North-West Tasmania Thunder in the NBL1 South.
College career
In November 2020, Armstrong signed with the California Baptist Lancers for the 2021–22 season. He joined his older brother Tre on the team.
As a freshman in 2021–22, Armstrong played in 26 games for the Lancers, making 25 starts and averaging 10.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 32.2 minutes per game.{{cite web |title=Taran Armstrong College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/taran-armstrong-1.html |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |access-date=10 November 2024 |language=en}} His 6.3 assists per game led the nation's freshmen class and was fifth among all players, and he became the eighth freshman in the NCAA men's basketball history to average at least 10 points, five rebounds, and six assists in a single season.{{cite web |title=Taran Armstrong - Men's Basketball |url=https://cbulancers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/taran-armstrong/8959 |website=CBU Athletics |access-date=10 November 2024 |language=en}} He recorded the program's first triple-double with 16 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds against San Jose State on 18 November; had a career-high 11 rebounds against San Diego Christian on 27 November; broke the program record for single-game assists with 15 against North Dakota on 7 December; and scored a season-high 22 points against Utah Valley on 26 February. He was subsequently named the WAC Freshman of the Year, the first in program history.{{cite news |title=Armstrong Named WAC Freshman Of The Year |url=https://cbulancers.com/news/2022/3/7/mens-basketball-armstrong-named-wac-freshman-of-the-year.aspx |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=CBU Athletics |date=7 March 2022 |language=en}} Armstrong and his brother helped the Lancers to an 18–16 record on the season.{{cite news |title=Armstrong brothers eager to achieve college dream |url=https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/7740044/armstrong-brothers-eager-to-achieve-college-dream/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=The Advocate |date=16 May 2022 |language=en-AU}}
As a sophomore in 2022–23, Armstrong played and started in all 33 games for the Lancers, averaging 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 29.5 minutes per game. He led CBU in scoring and assists and led the WAC in assists per game for the second straight year. He recorded four 20-point games on the season, including a career-high 25 points against Southern Utah on 1 February 2023. He was subsequently named to the All-WAC Second Team.
In April 2023, Armstrong initially entered the NCAA transfer portal,{{cite news |title=Armstrong set to embark on next chapter in college basketball career |url=https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/8154929/armstrong-set-to-embark-on-next-chapter-in-college-basketball-career/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=The Advocate |date=11 April 2023 |language=en-AU}} but later decided to forgo the remainder of his NCAA eligibility to start his professional career in Australia.{{cite news |title=Taran Armstrong Signs Professional Contract in Australia |url=https://cbulancers.com/news/2023/4/18/mens-basketball-taran-armstrong-signs-professional-contract-in-australia.aspx |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=CBU Athletics |date=18 April 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Uluc | first=Olgun |title=Sources: College star Armstrong joins Taipans |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/36316029/nbl-aussie-college-basketball-star-taran-armstrong-joins-cairns-taipans |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=29 April 2023 |language=en}}
Professional career
=Cairns Taipans (2023–2025)=
On 17 May 2023, Armstrong signed a two-year contract with the Cairns Taipans of the National Basketball League (NBL).{{cite news |title=Taipans secure Taran Armstrong |url=https://www.taipans.com/news/taipans-secure-taran-armstrong |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=Cairns Taipans {{!}} Official NBL Website |date=17 May 2023}}{{cite news |last1=McInerney |first1=Matthew |title=Taran Armstrong reveals why he chose to sign with Cairns Taipans |url=https://www.cairnspost.com.au/sport/local-sport/taran-armstrong-reveals-why-he-chose-to-sign-with-cairns-taipans/news-story/bf328052ec1a3a59467ed39362436dbe?amp |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=cairnspost.com.au |date=17 May 2023 |language=en}} A foot injury delayed his start to the 2023–24 NBL season.{{cite news |title=Armstrong Cairns' "head of the snake" |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/armstrong-cairns-head-of-the-snake |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=16 August 2024}} He played in 23 games and averaged 7.7 points, 4 rebounds and 2.7 assists across 21 minutes per game.{{cite news |title="Sky the limit" for main man Armstrong |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/sky-the-limit-for-main-man-armstrong |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=31 August 2024}}
During the 2024 off-season, Armstrong was an auto-entrant in the 2024 NBA draft, and was then a prime candidate for a two-way contract. He was named to the All-Camp Team of the 2024 Adidas Eurocamp, and worked out for almost a dozen NBA teams.{{cite news |last1=Uluc |first1=Olgun |title=High risk, high reward: Why the Taipans are building around Taran Armstrong |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/41651078/nbl-why-cairns-taipans-building-taran-armstrong |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=ESPN.com |date=8 October 2024 |language=en}}
Armstrong returned to the Taipans for the 2024–25 NBL season but missed the first two rounds with a calf injury. He helped the Taipans to two wins in round three before being sidelined again with an ankle injury.{{cite news |title=Star Taipan's injury setback |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/star-taipans-injury-setback |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=18 October 2024}} He returned to action in round eight, with the team having gone 0–6 in that time.{{cite news |title=Injury update: Key Snake returns |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/injury-update-key-snake-returns |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=9 November 2024}} On 6 February 2025, he recorded 28 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 100–88 win over the Brisbane Bullets, marking his first career triple-double and the league's first triple-double since 2023.{{cite news |title=Taipans win on Armstrong triple-double |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/taipans-win-on-armstrong-triple-double |access-date=6 February 2025 |work=NBL Official Website |date=6 February 2025}}{{cite news |title=Armstrong posts triple-double as Taipans bite Bullets |url=https://www.espn.com.au/nbl/story/_/id/43715929/nbl-taran-armstrong-posts-triple-double-taipans-beat-bullets |access-date=6 February 2025 |work=ESPN.com |date=6 February 2025 |language=en}}
=Golden State Warriors (2025–present)=
On 25 February 2025, Armstrong signed a two-way contract with the Golden State Warriors,{{cite news |title=Warriors Sign Guard Taran Armstrong to Two-Way Contract |url=https://www.nba.com/warriors/news/warriors-sign-guard-taran-armstrong-to-two-way-contract-20250225 |access-date=5 March 2025 |work=NBA.com |date=25 February 2025}}{{cite news |title=Golden State Warriors Sign Guard Taran Armstrong To Two-Way Contract |url=https://santacruz.gleague.nba.com/news/golden-state-warriors-sign-guard-taran-armstrong-to-two-way-contract |access-date=10 March 2025 |work=Santa Cruz Warriors |date=25 February 2025 |language=en}} becoming the first Tasmanian to sign in the NBA. He made his debut for the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA G League on 7 March 2025, recording seven assists in a 112–110 loss to the Wisconsin Herd.{{cite news |last1=O'Keefe |first1=Peter |title=Warriors rookie lives up to reputation as Braxton Key delivers mammoth performance |url=https://bluemanhoop.com/warriors-rookie-lives-up-reputation-braxton-key-delivers-mammoth-performance |work=Blue Man Hoop |date=7 March 2025 |language=en-us}}
National team career
In 2019, Armstrong represented Australia at the FIBA Under-17 Oceania Championship, where he helped his country win the gold medal with 11 points per game.
Armstrong played for the Australia at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, 2022 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, and 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.{{cite web |title=Taran Armstrong player in Australia (AUS) |url=https://www.fiba.basketball/en/players/239729-taran-armstrong |website=FIBA |access-date=10 November 2024}}
Personal life
Armstrong is the son of Benjamin and Melanie Armstrong. He has two siblings, Tre and Tanner. Tre signed with the Tasmania JackJumpers in 2023{{cite news |title=Tassie Tre ready to rep home colours |url=https://www.jackjumpers.com.au/news/tassie-tre-ready-to-rep-home-colours |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=Tasmania JackJumpers {{!}} Official NBL Website |date=18 May 2023}} but later requested to be released from his contract.{{cite news |title=Tre Armstrong Departs JackJumpers |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/tre-armstrong-departs-jackjumpers |access-date=11 November 2024 |work=NBL Official Website |date=6 July 2023}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://nbl.com.au/player/3713/1282941/taran-armstrong NBL profile]
- [https://cbulancers.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/taran-armstrong/8959 California Baptist Lancers bio]
{{Golden State Warriors current roster}}
{{Santa Cruz Warriors current roster}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Armstrong, Taran}}
Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen
Category:Australian expatriate basketball people in the United States
Category:Australian men's basketball players
Category:BA Centre of Excellence men's basketball players
Category:California Baptist Lancers men's basketball players
Category:Cairns Taipans players
Category:Santa Cruz Warriors players