Australian Taran Armstrong on the Warriors: 'I'm going to use everything to my advantage'
After signing with the Golden State Warriors last month, Australian guard Taran Armstrong is eager to make the jump from the NBL and begin working with the organization.
Armstrong signed a two-way contract with the Warriors on Feb. 25 after playing the past two years with the Cairns Taipans in the National Basketball League. He averaged 17.1 points, 4.7 assists and 4.6 rebounds on 35.1% shooting from 3-point range in 19 games this season.
The 23-year-old played collegiately at California Baptist for two seasons from 2021-23, averaging 10.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists. He was named the Western Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, becoming the first player in program history to earn that honor.
Armstrong is highly touted for his skill set as a point guard, with his high-level passing and elite court vision. He has drawn comparisons to fellow Australian Josh Giddey and named Tyrese Haliburton as another player who resembles his overall game.
Welcome to The Bay, Taran!
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 26, 2025
Warriors have signed Armstrong to a two-way contract ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/twx6u9UJTk
Armstrong debuted with the Santa Cruz Warriors on March 7, finishing with seven assists, one rebound and one steal in 23 minutes in a loss to the Wisconsin Herd. He followed that performance with 10 points, six rebounds and four assists two nights later in a win over Mexico City.
The 6-foot-5 guard is coming off his best performance with Santa Cruz, producing 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds in a 145-111 win over the Osceola Magic on Wednesday. He showcased his overall skill set, and dazzled with his passing and playmaking ability.
With eight games remaining on the schedule, Armstrong will likely finish the season with Santa Cruz before joining Golden State. The organization has found success with its developmental program in recent memory, and will be hopeful to duplicate that with Armstrong.
Rookie Wire caught up with Armstrong after that outing against the Magic to discuss the transition from the NBL, learning from the likes of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler and what he hopes to accomplish with the organization.
What have the last 2-3 weeks been like for you?
The Golden State Warriors are signing Australia’s Taran Armstrong to a two-way contract, his agent Daniel Moldovan tells ESPN. Armstrong, a 6-foot-6 point guard, has been a standout in the Australian National Basketball League and now enters the NBA. pic.twitter.com/sXqiKuzueR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2025
Armstrong: Hectic to say the least. Obviously, it was a massive deal for myself, something I've been striving toward for my entire life. It is huge for my family and where I come from, Tasmania, and all those sorts of things. The process of actually getting over here was also crazy. I was told to pack my bags and sort of be on standby, and I got a text, and the next day I was out. I was able to meet guys and familiarize myself, and watch a couple of games in Santa Cruz, and then I had to go to Canada to do the visa process. I was over there for five days and then got back and played the next day. It has been wild. I've enjoyed every second of it so far.
How has the transition from the NBL to the G League gone for you?
.@warriors two-way cashes in his first 3️⃣ points! ☔️ pic.twitter.com/mtrjJtTyW2
— Santa Cruz Warriors (@GLeagueWarriors) March 9, 2025
Armstrong: I think I'm getting used to the pace quickly. It is fast-paced and I think I'm adapting pretty well. My reads and understanding of the spacing is improving, and that is still without really practicing. We had a little walk-through practice (on Tuesday), but it is purely just receiving information from the coaching staff and having to apply it as quickly as possible. I think I'm adjusting and getting used to it pretty quickly.
What made the Warriors the right fit for you?
Taran no look ➡️ Alex reverse 😤 #SeaDubspic.twitter.com/i2orbfs5Ap
— Santa Cruz Warriors (@GLeagueWarriors) March 8, 2025
Armstrong: I was pretty out of the entire process of picking and choosing. I didn't really have too much to do with that. My agent handled a lot of that stuff and he would just report back the teams that were interested. I would just focus on what I was doing at the time. I was during the back half of the season, where he was having a lot of those conversations, and until it was something super concrete, I was just sort of working and trying to stay ready for whatever opportunity presented itself.
For it to be Golden State, I've said it a couple times, is just unreal. I couldn't imagine it'd be like a (dream) fairy tale team to pick and choose, you know what I mean? I love the way they play. Obviously, they've had so much success and experienced it in a short amount of time, and for them to see something in me, it gives me a lot of confidence. They don't just pick anyone up and give opportunities to whoever. They have to see something and see something of value and for them to recognize that in me is a real confidence boost for sure.
Steve Kerr said recently he hadn't watched you play much, but was excited to add you to their program. How beneficial will it be for you to play in their system?
Armstrong: All great organizations have to have trust through and through. I don't take offense that Steve Kerr didn't know who I was. It speaks a lot about the organization, the decision makers and the higher ups. There are a lot of people that have a lot of (say) that goes into and I'm lucky to have that opportunity. Obviously, that is something you kind of look for: guys who've had similar opportunities, how have they progressed and what their trajectory has been. They have a lot of guys like that in Pat Spencer and a lot of dudes that have played in the G League. I was walking through Santa Cruz and they had the names of the guys that are on rosters now (on a wall), so it gives me confidence that I know if I do the right things and control what I can control, that I can find myself in those positions as well.
Former Warriors center Andrew Bogut said you play with a lot of fire. Where does that come from?
Armstrong: I think as a point guard, I try to be somewhat composed and levelheaded the majority of the time, but there is a definite underlying level of competitiveness that sometimes comes out. I try to use that for the benefit of the team and direct that the best way I can, but I've always been super, super competitive ever since I was young. I always wanted to win everything. It might catch people off guard for whatever reason, but I'm for sure competitive. I'm not afraid of anyone and I'll go at whoever.
You have been compared a lot to fellow Australian Josh Giddey. What do you think of that comparison?
Armstrong: That's my guy! We spent a lot of time together a couple of years ago at the NBA Academy Center of Excellence back in Canberra. I've been lucky to watch his journey as a lot of other people have him. Obviously, he is on an absolute tear right now. He is playing really good basketball and anytime you can be compared to someone like that, it is a tick. He has got a great feel. He is obviously a bit bigger than me, but he is someone I think I can see the floor in the game similar to and is one I definitely watch and take notes of.
How has your journey prepared you for this moment to join the Warriors?
Armstrong: It has been great in the sense that I really just haven't been handed anything. I've had far from the fairy tale journey of what a kid would want if they were trying to be an NBA player. It's like, 'OK, a college one and done and drafted.' I was four years -- two years college, two years pro. A two-way kind of adds to the story. I kind of love it. I love being an underdog having to fight for everything. I wouldn't want it any other way. I don't want it easy. I'm glad I've had to take the path I've had to take. I've learned a lot. It just makes it so much more sweet when you get to these sorts of places and get these opportunities.
What does it mean to you to be the first player from Tasmania to sign with an NBA team?
Armstrong: It is interesting because, obviously, it means a lot to me, but it is not necessarily for me if that makes sense. I'm super glad I was able to achieve it to prove that it is possible, but it is more so cool for the kids and the people that have been a part of my journey and who have influenced me that they can say they had a hand and a role in my success. I can inspire so many kids down there and basketball is just exploding down there with the NBL team and things like that. So for me to be the first is crazy. It makes me almost emotional thinking about it cause it was a dream when I was young. To be the first Tasmanian and for it to actually happen is super cool but it's more of what it can do for other people versus how it makes me feel.
What will it be like to learn from the likes of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green?
Armstrong: I only spent a couple of days up there recently before we came out here and it was just some of the best basketball experiences I've ever had. Observing, asking questions here and there. They got things to do and I'm not gonna be pestering them too much, but I was able to watch Steph warm up and things like that. To get access to behind closed doors, locker rooms, how they work and all that sort of stuff is really, really cool and I'm not going to take that for granted. I'm going to use everything to my advantage and grow as much as I can.
What was it like to watch Steph drop 56 points a few weeks ago?
56 Points. 12 Threes.
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 28, 2025
Stephen Curry, unreal ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/ES1F6rtUpB
Armstrong: It is sort of casual that he can have four or five 3s and it is just an OK game for him. That is the standard of how elite he is, but it is almost routine for him. You see the way he warms up, the way he takes care of himself, all of his processes, and obviously there are so many games in an NBA season, and he has been in the league a long time, so it is just like clockwork for him. I think he just rolls out and just does what he does and the result of that is just something really, really incredible.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Interview: Taran Armstrong on Warriors, NBL, NBA comps, Stephen Curry
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