Kings import search is underway

Members were treated to some personal insight on our hunt for a replacement import at an exclusive event after last week’s double header at Qudos Bank Arena.

A good crowd remained after the games to attend a members-only Q&A with all Flames and Kings players and coaching staff as well as Kings CEO Chris Pongrass.

In the event members asked both teams a variety of questions with the two teams telling anecdotes throughout the season thus far.

One of the questions a member asked was what the latest updates on the import search for the Kings was, after RJ Hunter’s season-ending injury.

The import search has been a difficult process for the Kings, especially as it is happening during the season. RJ Hunter will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, he was recently released and as it stands now the import market is “bone dry” Kings CEO Chris Pongrass explained in a members-only event.

At the time of the event, over 145 players had been signed to 10-day NBA contracts to fill the voids of NBA players who couldn’t play due to COVID health and safety protocols.

This leaves many of the players who would have naturally gravitated to the Kings are holding out for a 10-day contract in the NBA to chase their dream of playing in the league.

“It’s been an uphill battle for us finding an import,” Pongrass said.

“I’ve got a selection of names I could bring in but after the performance we saw against Perth, it’s more about finding someone who complements the team, not just the first player available.”

Pongrass explained that the Kings’ track record of development has helped the process, using Jae’Sean Tate as an example.

“Our recruitment in the past years with Jae’Sean, Didi [Louzada], obviously Andrew’s [Bogut] connections and our relationship with Will [Weaver] has shown there is a set, proven pathway to the NBA.

“We’ve seen so many NBL players make the NBA like Keifer Sykes. Players want to come down here because they see that steppingstone, they see that level of competition and they also see that players in the NBA who played in the NBL are putting up the number that they far surpassed when they were here.

“We have a good group of names, and we want to find the right guy. We are hopefully very close.”

Pongrass explained what the process is on finding the right player, the Kings want someone who has recently played so they don’t have to have a significant fitness conditioning period.

The teams’ injuries have been a difficult process to navigate, Jordan Hunter who was instrumental to last season’s success is now out for the season with a foot injury. Biwali Bayless and Matur Maker have missed weeks of the season and Jaylen Adams only returned from injury a few weeks ago. 

This has made the import replacement even more difficult as the roster has been in flux. But Pongrass praised the progress and efforts of Wani Swaka Lo Buluk this season; who was signed to replace an injured Dejan Vasiljevic. Wani has been able to fill the gaps where necessary and was recently rewarded with a full contract. 

“Wani has been performing unbelievably,” Pongrass said.

“We knew the kind of player he was, and he is what this club is all about. What he did on Bryce [Cotton] and guarding the best import the league has seen (Cotton shot 6/17 from the field). And now Wani is here to stay.”

Contractually it is a balancing act, as the Kings cannot sign an import with a full roster, Wani was upgraded to a full contract because now Vasilijevic is healthy and playing, which ends his injury replacement contract. The Kings will sign an import as an injury replacement for Jordan Hunter.

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