Reyning Threes: Why “sniper” could spark Cairns’ resurgence

Jack McVeigh in Game 1. Reyne Smith in Game 2. Adam Forde would be licking his lips at the prospect of having two of the Australian Boomers’ brightest stars at his disposal for the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Season.

Adding to the excitement, both are lethal from long range. McVeigh drained five triples in the Boomers’ win over Korea for 20 points, while Smith followed with four from deep against Lebanon, finishing with 18 points.

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While much of the spotlight has shone on marquee addition McVeigh, a Championship Series MVP and proven force in the league, college graduate Smith could quietly emerge as a significant signing, as reported by Olgun Uluc on July 27.

“Adam Forde is somewhere right now rubbing his hands together,” Damon Lowery said on NBL Now.“He’s happy to see another shooter, a young guy with a lefty stroke.

“I’ll throw out an old-school name … reminds me of a young Cameron Dickinson, a streaky lefty guard. Doesn’t matter if he misses his first five threes, he still thinks the next one’s going in.”

Smith spent three years at Charleston, before his senior with Louisville Cardinals, where he averaged 3.5 three-pointers a game, ranking him third in the NCAA.

“He’s going to give Adam Forde more firepower,” Lowery said. “You need shooters around a Jack McVeigh who’s going to draw double teams, and a Sam Waardenburg. Yep, he’s a sniper, and every team needs one.”

Smith shapes as a crucial figure in the Boomers’ push for the FIBA Asia Cup, with his outside shooting, alongside Jaylin Galloway and McVeigh, addressing an area Australia has been missing in recent international tournaments.

“That’s the Reyne Smith people expected, and he’s going to be important to this team to try and win gold,” Peter Hooley added.

Australia takes on Qatar in its final group game on Sunday at 6pm AEST, live on ESPN, Kayo and Disney+.