Kings lock down Australian Boomer Xavier Cooks

With NBL Free Agency officially tipping off on Monday, the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings are thrilled to announce that Australian Boomer Xavier Cooks has recommitted to the purple and gold on a new one year-deal.

The talented forward again showed the significant impact he can have on the court in the backend of NBL21 after recovering from a foot injury he sustained during pre-season. 

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In just eight games he averaged 10.25 points, 5.13 rebounds and 1 block per game, including a career high 19 points and 11 rebounds against the Hawks in Round 21.

A local talent, the announcement is a big win for NSW basketball fans, and Cooks is excited to continue building on the recent success of Sydney basketball.

“It was a tough season spending most of it on the sidelines, but I’ve loved my time here at the Kings, so I’m excited to continue building on what we started” Cooks shared.

“We have a good core group of guys returning, and with a new Head Coach coming in, it’s going to be a big year for us” he added.

During the 2019-20 NBL season, Cooks played a pivotal role in helping the Kings to a Minor Premiership and the Club’s first Grand Final appearance since 2008.

He is currently in the US with the Australian Boomers squad for selection camp ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics which tips off next month.

Kings CEO Chris Pongrass was pleased to be retaining another key piece of the Kings playing group and maintaining some on-court continuity heading into next season.  

“We built the team around Xavier last season, and unfortunately his pre-season injury prevented us from seeing the full potential of that squad. Bringing back one of the most dynamic and creative bigs in our league was a priority for us” Pongrass said.

“It is rare to come across an athlete like Xav, there is tremendous upside to his game and I feel he has a lot more to show than what he has been able to in a short window. He has worked hard to get back to playing at an elite level and we are thrilled for him to be named in the Boomers 19-man squad who flew out to LA last week. Kings fans can rest easy now knowing he is coming back to pull on the purple and gold”.

Cooks joins Tom Vodanovich, Jarell Martin, Jordan Hunter, Shaun Bruce, Dejan Vasiljevic, Angus Glover and Biwali Bayles as contracted players for next season.

NBL Free Agency officially tipped off on Monday with more played announcements expected to be made in the coming weeks. 

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