Bayles to use Meteors stint as NBL springboard

After dreaming of one day playing for the Sydney Kings, guard Biwali Bayles couldn't have asked for a better debut season in the NBL last year.

Playing an integral role off the bench, the point guard helped Chase Buford's side secure the club's fourth championship.

"Winning a championship in my first year was super special and something I'll never forget - especially with the great group of guys we had," Bayles said.

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As special as that title run was, Bayles quickly turned his attention to the NBL1 season with Mackay and continuing to improve as a player.

Alongside Kings teammate, Jaylin Galloway, the Sydney Comets junior helped Mackay reach the NBL1 North finals - only to be recently eliminated by Northside 98-96 in the quarters.

"Going up to Mackay and teaming up with Jaylin was unreal, especially going into my second contracted year and his first," said Bayles, who averaged 13.79 points, 7.07 rebounds, 5.57 assists and 1.29 steals for the Meteors in 2022. 

"We've played together in numerous junior Australian teams, so to continue to build that cohesion at Mackay was awesome and will definitely help us moving forward with the Kings.

"On top of that, NBL1 gave me a chance to get my confidence back, which had been lacking a little since my injury in the NBL season.

"I believe I proved I belong in the NBL before my injury and it was great to regain some of that form at Mackay, which I hope to carry into year two with Sydney."

Since then, Bayles, along with other Kings players Dejan Vasiljevic, Kouat Noi, Shaun Bruce, Ignatius Mitchell, Jackson Makoi and Galloway, has returned to training with the purple and gold - ahead of the official tip-off of their NBL23 pre-season on Monday.

"The main goal of mine during the off-season and pre-season is developing more consistency with my jump shot - I know that aspect of my game has to improve if I'm going to be an effective all-around point guard at this level," the former University of Hawaii guard said.

"It's not just that though because to be a great point guard, you need to be vocal and a leader out on the court - all aspects that will come with the more reps I get.

Rounding out Buford's squad that will attempt to go back-to-back are skipper Xavier Cooks, Angus Glover, Jordan Hunter, Derrick Walton Jr, Tim Soares and Justin Simon.

"The group the club has put together for this season is incredible and I can't wait until everyone is here and we can get to work," Bayles said.

"I definitely believe we have the squad to 'run it back' but just like last season, we don't look too far ahead, rather building the kingdom day by day - especially as we proved last season that Chase's systems are effective in this league."