Kings announce coaching staff ahead of NBL22

Following the recent appointment by the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings that Chase Buford would be taking over the reigns as the Club’s new Head Coach, the Kings have now locked in their remaining coaching staff ahead of the upcoming Hungry Jack’s NBL22 season.

Two-time NBL MVP and former Kings captain Kevin Lisch will remain as an Assistant Coach under Buford, while the Kings are also excited to welcome new Assistant Coach Fleur McIntyre to Sydney.

McIntyre joins the Club following 10 years’ experience coaching for Basketball Western Australia’s High Performance Programs, including coaching in both the NBL1 West Men’s and Women’s competitions, and as a former WNBL Assistant Coach for the Perth Lynx.

“I am so incredibly excited to be joining the Sydney Kings. To work alongside Chase, the entire coaching staff and playing group, and contribute to the vision for this organisation going forward, is such a wonderful opportunity and one I'm delighted to undertake" McIntyre said.  

Kevin Lisch echoed McIntyre’s comments, “I’m really pleased to be remaining with the Kings and beginning this next chapter for the Club under the direction of Chase.”

“The Kings have been building something really special over the past few years, and I think it’s a really exciting time to be involved in Sydney basketball” Lisch added.

Currently finishing up his tenure as a part of the Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff as they continue their NBA Finals push, Kings Head Coach Chase Buford is thrilled about the mix of talent he has surrounding him on the sidelines heading into NBL22.

“I’m excited about the group we have assembled” Buford said.

“Fleur’s energy and passion for the game of basketball is very evident. She will add a great deal to our player development program, and I’m looking forward to learning more from her.”

“It’s also great to have Kevin remaining with the Kings, and I’m excited to help him grow as he continues his coaching journey. His experience will be invaluable to our group. Having someone to lean on who has had such an impact on the league and Australian basketball as a whole, is such a boost for me coming into the league.”

“Special thank you must also go to Luc [Longley] for his hard work in finding great candidates for me to speak with, and providing helpful feedback along the way” Buford added.

Lachlan Lonergan will also remain with the Club as the new Lead Video Coordinator and Special Assistant to the Head Coach, Toby Banfield remains in charge of the Kings medical team as the Head of Performance, while the basketball department will once again be supported by Australian basketball legend, Luc Longley as Special Advisor.

With a new Head Coach at the helm and a strong support team in place, Kings CEO Chris Pongrass is comforted with the new direction of the Club.

“It has always been a focus for us to implement an experienced and creative basketball department which is backed up by a robust performance and medical team. This is an important step in developing players and creating a competitive, championship-level team, that continues to make us as a destination Club for athletes” Pongrass said.

“That intent has not wavered, and while we may have had a rollercoaster season with many challenges arising out of our control, we are really excited by what’s ahead for the Sydney Kings. Chase and his staff will do wonderful things for the Kings and basketball in NSW.”

With NBL Free Agency currently underway, the Kings have three roster spots remaining, including an additional roster spot for a Next Star prospect.

Xavier Cooks, Tom Vodanovich, Jarell Martin, Jordan Hunter, Shaun Bruce, Dejan Vasiljevic, Angus Glover, Biwali Bayles and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (nominated replacement player) are all contracted for the upcoming NBL season.

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