Kings to honour every former player with a special tribute

Every Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings player in the club’s rich history since its debut season in 1988 will be recognised as part of a special tribute later this season. 

The Sydney Kings will honour every one of the over 200 players who have played with the National Basketball League club with an individual number and a commemorative gift during a special presentation at a home game in April. 

“This is not only a means of recognizing former players and giving them a tangible connection to each other and the club, it also helps current and future players appreciate that the club has been built on the shoulders of many,” Sydney Kings owner and chairman Paul Smith said.   

“This history is too easily overlooked or lost, and we don’t want this to be the case for The Sydney Kings. 

“Our final home game of the season will now be our ‘Old Boys Game’ where all former players and guests will be hosted by the Sydney Kings, and our members and fans will have the opportunity recognise the legends.” 

YOU CAN READ THE FULL LIST OF KINGS PLAYERS HERE

Smith said the club will look at recognising Sydney Flames players in the same fashion sometime into the future, but missing WNBL records meant the Flames’ list was going the need significant further work. 

The concept is the brainchild of Sydney Kings fan and photographer Damien Garth, supported by former Kings player and assistant coach Daniel Kickert who has been working on educating the current crop of Kings on the club’s rich history. 

Garth said the idea came from looking at other sporting codes and clubs who recognise their playing groups in numerical fashion, while the concept has been rarely used in Australian basketball. 

“Much is made in football circles of players making their debut, ‘such and such becomes Wests Tigers number 123’ or ‘Josh Hazlewood presents Scott Boland with baggy green number 463’,” Garth said. 

“It is a big deal. The player is joining a select club only a small number are a part of.  They are now part of that club’s DNA.” 

After connecting with Smith and pitching the idea, Garth set about researching and ordering the final list. 

“Luckily there was already in place, a general player history list, but it did not include any specifics of debut game or logical order of appearance – it was just season based,” he said. 

“This though formed the basis of the final list. The number allocation was determined by what NBL game the player made their debut for the club in.  

“The next step was if that player started or came off the bench, and then finally alphabetical order, as unlike the football codes or cricket, players do not have a positional jersey number or playing order, and although a player may be named in the team, they are no guarantee of getting any court time – unlike a footballer who once named (almost always) gets some game time. 

“With that said I found it quite fitting that number one, via alphabetical order, is Steve Carfino, Mr Magic, the man who back in the day was the focal point for the club, the superstar American import with the tight shorts. 

“Number Three on the list is the other pillar of that debut season, Damian Keogh, fitting that ‘Three-O’ Keogh sits at number three.” 

Kickert said it was important for any playing group to understand the history and legacy of their organisation. 

Club coaching intern Liam Cavanagh-Downs has been putting together episodes for the playing group featuring old games and player interviews which the current Kings have been watching to get a better understanding of the club’s history. 

“It helps the group buy into the culture we are building and get a sense that this is about more than just them,” Kickert said. 

“It’s recognition that when they see the faces of the past players looking on from the stand they recognise them and understand that history. They understand that one day it could be them with their jersey hanging from the rafters or their championship displayed in the window. 

“It’s an understanding that once you are a King we will keep you in the fold and you’ll forever be a King.” 

It’s a sentiment echoed by Garth. 

“This list is to recognise those that have built the club on the court in their own personal way,” he said. 

“When player  number 235 takes the court in the future, they will do so knowing that 234 others have helped him get there, and they too know what it means to be a King.” 

YOU CAN READ THE FULL LIST OF KINGS PLAYERS HERE