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Cairns Taipans guard Jackson Makoi has been arrested and is assisting police with their investigation, the NBL club said in a statement.
Cairns Taipans guard Jackson Makoi's NBL future is up in the air after he was arrested over an alleged domestic violence matter dating back to 2023.
The Taipans confirmed in a statement that Makoi had been arrested and would not be available for Sunday's clash with Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena.
Cairns lost the match 91-87.
The legal matter has been referred to the Basketball Australia Integrity Unit, and the Taipans have advised the NBL.
NSW Police released a statement on Sunday in relation to the arrest.
"Officers attached to the North West Metropolitan Region - Domestic Violence High Risk Offender Team commenced an investigation following reports of an assault in Oxley Park in November 2023," the statement read.
"About 5.45pm on Saturday 11 January 2025, officers attended a hotel in Sydney Olympic Park and arrested a 24-year-old man by virtue of an outstanding arrest warrant.
"He was taken to Auburn Police Station where he was charged with common assault (DV) and intentionally choke person with recklessness (DV)."
In Parramatta Local Court on Sunday, Makoi was granted conditional bail, with his next appearance slated for Wednesday via video link.
After Sunday's tight loss to Sydney, Taipans coach Adam Forde said he wasn't in a position to elaborate on the matter.
"We're sort of finding out in real time. You probably know more about it than I do," Forde said.
"It's a serious matter. I feel like I'd be making more damage than good by saying anything that I know nothing about."
The NBL said in a statement it was aware of an incident involving Makoi and had been advised of his arrest.
"As this is now a matter for the NSW police and Basketball Australia's integrity unit, the league is unable to comment further at this stage," it said.
Makoi played for South Sudan at last year's Paris Olympics and has averaged 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 11 NBL games this season.
He received his first big break when he signed with the Sydney Kings as a development player in 2022.
Makoi played 15 games in NBL 23 for the Kings during the club's championship-winning campaign, but ruptured the ACL in his right knee before the finals.
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