Kings add development player Spurgin to roster

The Sydney Kings are excited to announce that another college star has joined the club for the upcoming NBL25 season.

Centre Jason Spurgin has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Hoops Capital club, with the first being as a development player and the following two being as a fully-rostered player.

Spurgin is the third college player, behind Keli Leaupepe and Tyler Robertson, and the fifth signing overall (including Bul Kuol and Izayah Lea'afa) for the harbour city club during the free agency period.

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These six signings join the returning faces of Shaun Bruce, Alex Toohey, Kouat Noi, Makuach Maluach and Klairus Amir in Brian Goorjian's squad for next season.

"The Kings organisation just felt like a really exciting and enticing situation to be a part of," Spurgin said.

"From the coaching staff and their pedigree to an amazing ownership group, including Andrew Bogut and Luc Longley who have vast experience in my position, it just felt like the right fit - I'm excited to learn from the best.

"[Adding to that] is getting the chance to play alongside guys such as Toohey, Keli and Tyler - all guys I've competed against over the years.

"It's been fun going up against them and I'm sure it'll be even more fun playing alongside them and the rest of our team, to try and help Sydney win another championship."

Born in England, before spending time during his childhood in Tanzania and South Africa, Spurgin spent most of his youth living in Toowoomba.

The 210cm big man went on to captain the Toowoomba Grammar School side, represent Queensland on numerous occasions at a junior level and spend time with the Brisbane Bullets as a development player.

This led to him attending Southern Utah University in the United States for three seasons.

During his tenure with the Thunderbirds, he averaged 7.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game (helping the Thunderbirds to a 0.698 win percentage with a record of 67-29), while also claiming numerous accolades including being named on the Big Sky All-Academic team in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

For his senior year, Spurgin transferred to Bowling Green State University, where he started all 34 games and averaged 10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and one block per contest - while leading his team in three-point percentage (33.9 per cent).

During the 2023-24 season, Spurgin also earned College Sports Communications Academic All-District honours.

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With all this already to his name, Spurgin knows he can be an asset to the Hoops Capital club for at least the next three seasons.

"I'm coming in as someone that's willing to hard work every day, as well as a positive attitude and good vibes - while being a great teammate and doing what I can to help us succeed as a group," said Spurgin, who is keen to meet all the Kings members and fans over the coming months.

"I still have a long way to grow as a player, especially in terms of getting my body right to withstand playing at the professional level and developing my game by becoming more of a threat off the bounce, instead of just being a catch-and-shoot threat and down low in the post.

"Sydney has a history of winning but also of developing young talent, so I can't wait to be a part of that."

READ MORE: HOOPS CAPITAL UNVEILS 2023-24 AWARD WINNERS

Coach Brian Goorjian is excited to work with someone with the physical tools and skills of the Queensland product.

"We're now a fair way down this path and we're really happy with all the players we've signed and Jason is no different, especially being in the important five spot," six-time NBL champion Goorjian said.

"He was a player that we identified early in the process that we'd love to have, thanks to his versatility and ability to shoot the ball.

"I see a lot of potential in Jason, as he's a player that improved every year at college and can continue to do so, solidifying himself as a player that can play in the league for a long time.

"Being in our system and environment day in, day out, he will continue to develop, especially in terms of scoring inside and outside the paint, his ability to handle and make decisions and his physicality and dealing with the rigours of playing in this competition.

"We're really excited to add him to our young core, which will hopefully build together for years to come."

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