Kings' Grand Final run to help Woodhill's chase for NBL1 glory

Sydney Kings development player Archie Woodhill has a major NBL1 season around the corner.

Currently a part of the Sydney Kings’ attempt to repeat as NBL champions, afterwards Woodhill will join the inaugural NBL1 East Sydney Comets – with their season starting on March 11.

Woodhill played for the Sutherland Sharks last season, where he averaged 14 points and 6.4 rebounds for the semi-finalists last season.

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Now with the Comets, Woodhill is going to be one of the key pieces to a brand new team and thinks this is an opportunity to take the next step.

"So I think I've had to like look at myself and go ‘this is really an opportunity for me to play amongst that group’ and really show how well I can play," he said.

He explained that the brain trust the Kings and the Comets have collected has been extremely valuable to his development.

The Comets’ CEO Ben Madgen alongside Andrew Bogut, Luc Longley and the Kings’ coaching staff has been a dream situation for the 21-year-old.

"In my first year Luc Longley took me and Jaylin Galloway out to lunch when we were in the Blitz down at Melbourne, which was just unbelievable for me," Woodhill said.

"Obviously the whole [Michael] Jordan story and stuff like that, and I've been in interviews with him at the AIS and stuff and have been too shy to talk – and then all of a sudden, I'm having lunch with the guy.

"It’s just amazing to be able to just be there with him and learn from him.

"But yeah, Bogut then Magden, even Daniel Kicks and Kevin Lisch.

"It's just amazing that the Kings have had the put that all together and it's yeah, it's like nothing else.”

.@CSBAComets star signing and @SydneyKings DP says Justin Simon is the key to this series ?

Catch Game 2 of the Championship Series live and free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies, 10 Peach and 10 play on Sunday at 4pm AEDT.

Read more about Woodhill's move: https://t.co/YsplrqyViq pic.twitter.com/cVxbtK5qUD

— NBL1 (@NBL1) March 4, 2023

Woodhill went on to explain Sydney assistant Fleur McIntyre has been instrumental in his development this season.

"Fleur has been amazing - she's like the mother of the group," the forward said.

"She talks a lot of smack and has a lot of banter with a couple of players, but she's awesome.

"She's definitely someone I go to for advice and every scrimmage.

"She's always telling me like what to do and what I could have done better here. So she's, yeah, she's very smart. And it's amazing to have her wisdom on the team for sure."

READ MORE: SLAM DUNK FOR HOOPS CAPITAL WITH NEW CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

With an inside perspective, Woodhill gave his picks for the major x-factors going into the Championship Series.

“I have to look at Kouat Noi and Xavier Cooks would be my two key factors for this series,” he said.

"And then has to be Justin Simon, the defensive menace - you know, if he plays well, we will win.”

Coming off an eight-point defeat in game one, the Hoops Capital side will look to even the ledger in game two on Sunday from 4pm AEDT.

Watch the Spark Arena grand final game live and free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies, 10 Peach and 10 Play.