Brazilian big man Tim Soares signs with Kings
The Sydney Kings are delighted to announce Brazilian big-man Tim Soares will be joining the reigning champions for the Hungry Jacks NBL23 season.
The 211 cm centre, who played in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League with the Milwaukee Bucks, completed the Kings’ import signings in our quest for back-to-back NBL Championships.
He joins former NBL Defensive Player of the Year Justin Simon and former Detroit Pistons point guard Derrick Walton Jr as the Kings’ imports.
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Kings CEO Chris Pongrass said fans in the Hoops Capital should be excited for the arrival of the 25-year-old, who spent last year in Israel with Ironi Nes Ziona averaging 14 points (60% FG, 54% 3P), 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
“Tim is a versatile centre who has a great shooting touch and range – he allows us to stretch the floor and will play a key role in our offense this season,” Pongrass said.
“He fits perfectly into our brand of Sydney Kings basketball and the up-tempo, exciting style of basketball our coach Chase Buford and his team have brought to the Harbour City. Chase’s first priority is to get it done on the defensive end – between Tim, Xavier and Justin we will have the longest and most disruptive defensive trio in the league.
“Tim is still building his professional career and he’s a player we think has a lot of upside that we can help elevate his game to another level.”
Soares, who was raised in Sao Paulo but played college at The Master’s University in California, said he was excited to come to Sydney and “play with a Championship team”.
"I have only heard good things about the Sydney Kings program, and I am very excited about working with the staff. Any opportunity I have to become a better player is a good choice for me,” he said.
“Every year I believe my game has improved. Playing at a high level with great players and coaches will help improve my game more. My strengths are definitely being able to knock down threes as a big man and play at a high, fast pace running the floor.
"I’ve been able to talk with coach about ways I can improve. Becoming better defensively, working on the pick and roll, and being more aggressive on offence are all things I hope to improve in. I look forward to coach helping me in these things. “
The Soares family is something of a basketball dynasty.
Tim’s parents Susan and Rogerio played US college basketball, Rogerio at Master’s, and the pair met while at Athletes in Action and continue to work as Christian missionaries in Sao Paulo today. Susan was the national Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year as a high school senior in 1986 and then played at the University of Texas.
Tim’s has four siblings, Stephanie, Jessica, Tiago and Rebecca. Stephanie is a two-time NAIA Division One Player of the Year and Jessica and Tiago also play college basketball.
"My mom played one year in Australia and had great things to say about her time,” Tim said.
“I look forward to following in her footsteps. Being from Brazil I love hot climate and beaches, so I know I will enjoy the beautiful sights in Australia.
“The NBL is a high level-league that I have worked hard to get to. I can’t wait to improve and be part of what the league has to offer.”
Soares joins Justin Simon, Derrick Walton Jr, Xavier Cooks, Shaun Bruce, Dejan Vasiljevic, Angus Glover, Biwali Bayles, Jaylin Galloway, Jordan Hunter, Kouat Noi and Jackson Makoi on the Kings’ list for NBL23 season.
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