Fans turn out in force for championship celebration

In a celebration of the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings’ first championship in 17 years fans and members gathered at Circular Quay next to the Overseas Passenger Terminal to see the championship team in all its glory.

The second half of the game was shown on the big screen and the boys were brought on with a roaring applause.

During the event, the team handed out three awards to the playing group. The Kings presented awards for the Laurie Watterson Club Person of the Year, Hostplus Members Player of the Year and the Most Valuable Player.

The Clubman of the Year was Fleur McIntyre. She is the first woman to be a part of an NBL championship team and has been the glue that held the team together, as head coach Chase Buford said.

Her passion, empathy and love for all the players and staff this season and been second-to-none and have been an integral part of what got this team over the line.

The Members are our sixth man, from when the team was eighth in the standings to when we were hugging and cheering as the confetti was launched, the diehard Sydney Kings fans helped the team win that series-clinching game three at home.

Jaylen Adams and Xavier Cooks are co-recipients of the Members Player Award, the regular season MVP and Grand Final MVP respectively have won the championship but also the hearts of our members.

The Most Valuable Player was none other than Jaylen Adams. The Andrew Gaze MVP and club MVP turned our season around once healthy and had some of the most clutch plays in Kings history this season.

From the three to win the game in Adelaide, to the dunk of the season against the Brisbane Bullets, to getting the team past the Illawarra Hawks in the semi-finals, Jaylen Adams is the club MVP.

The other awards for the season were Players Player, The Coaches Award and The Defensive Player of the Year. Shaun Bruce was awarded with the Players Player Award and Xavier Cooks was both the Coaches Award recipient and Defensive Player of the Year. 

Laurie Watterson Club Person of the Year – Fleur McIntyre

Hostplus Members Player of the Year – Xavier Cooks and Jaylen Adams

Most Valuable Player - Jaylen Adams

Players Player - Shaun Bruce

Coaches Award - Xavier Cooks

Defensive Player of the Year - Xavier Cooks