Kings and Flames gather strength through resilience, teamwork, and connection

The Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames will celebrate culture, resilience and connection this Indigenous Round, proudly wearing jerseys featuring the work of young Indigenous artist and basketball player, Ruby Prasad.

A 15-year-old Dharug/Wiradjuri artist a from Campbelltown, Prasad has brought her two passions together through Talara’Tingi, meaning Gathering Strength. Her artwork connects both clubs through a shared story of healing, belonging and pride in culture.

For Prasad, seeing her designs embraced by the players is an opportunity to share that story with a wider audience and encourage other young people to celebrate who they are.

“It’s great so we can express our culture without being ashamed of it, and it’s deadly to put it on the court as well,” Prasad said. “More people can see and understand our culture.”

The flannel flower is central to the artwork’s themes of resilience and healing. Each uniform brings the shared design to life in its own way, with the Flames jersey featuring a pink flannel flower against a black base and both clubs’ uniforms carrying Prasad’s signature.

Buy your 2026-27 Kings Indigenous Kit

Buy your 2026-27 Flames Indigenous Kit

Prasad said the themes reflected her own journey towards greater confidence and embracing her identity.

“When I was growing up, I was very shy, and I really wanted to get more confident,” she said. “It’s important to embrace it and show it, not try to be scared and afraid.”

Flames star Ally Wilson said learning about the meaning behind the artwork made wearing the jersey even more special.

“We absolutely love them,” Wilson said. “We love that pop of colour against the black, and coming here and hearing about the design and the meaning behind it is really special.”

For Wilson, Indigenous Round is an important opportunity to acknowledge Traditional Owners, celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and strengthen connections with the next generation.

“Indigenous Round is really important, so it’s really amazing that the club, the Kings and the Flames, get around it as much as we do here,” she said.

“It’s really special, and hopefully it continues to grow, and all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander little boys and girls can come out and see that their culture is being appreciated.”

Wilson said the visibility of Indigenous athletes was particularly meaningful for young fans finding their own place in the sport.

“When I was growing up, there wasn’t a lot that I could see,” she said. “I’m a huge believer in ‘you can’t be what you can’t see’.”

Kings guard Tyler Robertson said the players were proud to wear Prasad’s artwork and represent the story behind it.

“We’re always excited to see the design that we get,” Robertson said.

“It’s super awesome that Ruby was able to do it this year. She did an amazing job, and all of us are looking forward to being able to represent it.”

Prasad’s creativity also extends beyond the uniforms, with the young artist painting shoes featuring waterways and personal details, her first experience creating artwork on footwear.

“I’ve never done shoes before, so it was my first time doing another thing off the canvas,” Prasad said.

Robertson said he was looking forward to wearing a pair on court.

“The shoes look awesome. One of them is actually mine that I’m going to be able to wear,” he said. “I couldn’t be more excited for it.”

The Kings will wear the design against the New Zealand Breakers at Afterpay Arena on Sunday, 15 November with Indigenous artist and 2026 winner of The Voice, Yung Milla, set to perform across she game.
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GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE KINGS’ INDIGENOUS ROUND GAME THIS SUNDAY

The Flames will celebrate their Indigenous Round home game against the Townsville Fire at Quaycentre on Saturday, 28 November 28.

Get Your Tickets for Flames

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