Taipans recruit ready to 'Reyne' on Asia Cup parade

• Reyne Smith has signed a two-year deal with the Cairns Taipans
• Smith scored 11 points for the Boomers against Colorado, including 3-from-8 from the three-point line
• He was a standout with the Louisville Cardinals in his last NCAA season, making 3.5 out of 9.1 three-point attempts per game

Boomers sniper Reyne Smith has revealed a conversation with Golden State Warriors guard and former NBL star Taran Armstrong helped him decide to pass up offers from around the world, including Europe, and return to Australia after signing with the Cairns Taipans.

The former Louisville Cardinals standout's sharpshooting skills were on display as Australia beat the University of Colorado Buffaloes 93-87 at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre with Smith connecting on three triples, and two in a row in the second quarter to help break the game open before the visitors came storming back in the fourth.

Smith had 11 points and four rebounds in just under 20 minutes off the bench in coach Adam Caporn's first game in charge of the Boomers, and with his immediate professional future sorted, the 22-year-old said he couldn't wait for his move to Far North Queensland and to play under Adam Forde, especially considering he seemed destined to play in Europe.

"It's exciting, I think my mum's stoked about it, it's a little easier to come watch and all the time zone stuff is a little easier, but I'm pumped and looking forward to putting together a good year," he told basketball.com.au.

"A lot of options were kind of looking towards Europe and then Fordey kind of hit me up and discussed the situation, opportunity, and it was everything I was looking for really. So, it kind of came down to would I rather do it back in Australia or Europe?

"I'd much rather be home for especially the next two years.

"Talking to Taran Armstrong and getting his experience with (Forde), his style and just kind of asking around and getting the vibe, it was all positive things.

"He's got a great history of working with rookies and being successful with them.

"It's going to give me a lot of confidence out there playing my game, so I'm really looking forward to it."

When Smith caught up with basketball.com.au before the NBA Draft process, playing for the green and gold jersey was his ultimate dream. Above playing in the NBA or any individual achievements - nothing means more to him than representing his country.

He will that chance at the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia and after a week at Boomers camp, the Tasmanian product said it lived up to all expectations.

"(Being with the Boomers) is awesome. You hear so many stories of just how good the culture here is. It's my first real Boomers campaign and it's living up to it. It's been so much fun around the fellas and all the staff and just everything. It's been awesome and great to kind of get back to Australia and play again, it's a lot of fun," he said.

"There were multiple times of just like guys like (Will Magnay),(Jack) McVeigh, Jack White and some of the older guys that have been around, have just come over to me, talking and just kind of helping me kind of settle in a little bit.

"You get pretty excited to get out there and get a little sped up. So, they did a good job at talking to me and helping me out."

While crowds in the US will be used to Smith's marksmanship from beyond the arc, fans in Australia may not be, but he put that to bed against Colorado as he provided much-needed perimeter spacing, including a run of his own in the third quarter, which included a transition pull-up three over Buffaloes star Elijah Malone.

"It felt good to get a couple to go and kind of help break the lead a little bit open. My shot was feeling good even on the ones that didn't drop, the guys were just feeding confidence into me all game and getting around me and everything," Smith said.

"It was great to knock down a couple."

With a relatively inexperienced Boomers team heading to Saudi Arabia to try and defend Australia's title at the Asia Cup, Smith said they were more than ready for the challenge.

"This game really helps against a good Colorado team and coming out to compete and play at a high level is only good for us. Especially playing in a close game and that's only good for us going forward," he said.

"We're all excited to get over there."