Cooks excited to create more great memories with Kings

Xavier Cooks was an unstoppable force when he last played in Australia.

16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists. All NBL-First Team. Back-to-back champion. League MVP. It’s quite the NBL23 portfolio.

And after stints in the NBA and in China, he’s a man on a mission. Cooks is here to get the Kings back in the Championship race.

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While Brian Goorjian says things “slipped” a little last season, his own return as coach and the comeback of the main man in that famous Championship run … well, it goes a long way towards righting the ship. 

“This is my basketball home. I’ve been here for four years and created some of my greatest basketball memories and I can’t wait to create some more,” Cooks told the media at Friday's media call at Hoops Capital East.

“It’s going to be the same Xavier Cooks – the same high pace, high energy, bringing that chest bump and all that fun stuff I love to bring to the team ... it’s still the same Xavier Cooks.”

Sydney has made several high-profile moves in the off-season. Angus Glover, Jordan Hunter, DJ Hogg and Jonah Bolden are all gone. Bul Kuol’s signature is already confirmed, while another former Taipans star, Cam Oliver, is reportedly set to be on his way to the Kings.

It’s very much a new-look roster, but no one can doubt the history of success both Goorjian and Cooks bring. They win wherever they go.

“I knew that in the long run I’d be back here (Sydney) eventually,” Cooks said.

“I’m excited about the talent we have here. We’ve got a bunch of young guys coming through, a bunch of experienced guys, guys that are really going to get after it. 

“That’s the one thing I really think about this team, is it’s a bunch of hungry guys who are going to get after it on both ends of the court and play fast-paced and have a really entertaining performance for the fans.”

Cooks has been named among the Australia’s 17-man squad for the Paris Olympics, which will be trimmed to 12 in July, alongside Goorjian as the national team's coach.

Stay up to date with all the harbour city club's off-season news here.