Kings unveil Hogg as first import for NBL24 season

The Sydney Kings are excited to announce DJ Hogg as their first import signing for the NBL24 season.  

Hogg, who averaged 18.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists for the Cairns Taipans in NBL23, joins the Hoops Capital club on a two-year deal - the second year being a mutual option.  

“Over the past few years, I’ve heard positive things about the program and organisation in Sydney, which I got a taste of playing against the Kings last year,” said Hogg, who was selected onto the All-NBL Second Team last season.  

“Not to mention, Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.”  

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Prior to arriving in Australia, Hogg spent three years at Texas A&M before having G-League stints with the Delaware Blue Coats, Wisconsin Herd and Lakeland Magic – with whom he won the 2021 Championship.  

This was followed by a one-year stint in France with Cholet Basket, where he averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists across his 24 appearances.  

With this resume, it’s easy to see why Hogg will be an asset to the purple and gold in NBL24.  

“I really want to keep the winning culture and mentality going in Sydney and do whatever I can to help the club win a three-peat,” said Hogg, who will play at the 2023 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. 

“As a player, I feel like I’m someone who can contribute to success on the court in numerous different ways.  

“I have the ability to stretch the floor, at the three or four position, and being an even-keeled player, that can stay consistent throughout the entire season.  

“If I can do that and win in Sydney, it will mean a lot as the club is a proven pathway to the NBA, with several Kings players making that jump over the past few seasons – which is definitely a goal of mine.”    

The 26-year-old Ohio native becomes the harbour city club’s eighth rostered player of the 2023-24 campaign, alongside Shaun Bruce, Dejan Vasiljevic, Angus Glover, Kouat Noi, Jaylin Galloway, Jordi Hunter, Makuach Maluach, Jackson Makoi (development player) and Klairus Amir (development player) - many of whom Hogg is excited to play alongside.  

“I’ve spoken to Brucey a little bit about the club and I’m excited to play with him – he's a great, veteran guard that hit a bunch of big shots against us last season for Cairns,” the forward said.  

Kings CEO Chris Pongrass is thrilled to add such a key piece to the club’s growing roster.  

“DJ is a remarkably talented young man, and the prototypical player and character we want as a part of our club - he was a priority signing for us” Pongrass said.  

“Shooting is a premium in this league and an area that we identified as needing improvement in the off-season – DJ addresses that being one of the best perimeter shooters in the league.  

“Couple this with his playmaking and ability to play multiple positions, we have an elite offensive threat.

“DJ killed us in nearly every match-up last season - I know our coaching staff had nightmares thinking about how we were to guard him during that finals series.”

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“What probably impressed me the most in NBL24 was his defensive versatility.  

“I had really only known DJ as a shooter, and first-year imports in the NBL generally struggle with the physicality, but DJ thrived with his size and length.  

“We pride ourselves on being one of the top defensive teams year-to-year, so this only amplified our need to ensure he landed in Sydney. 

“We couldn’t be more excited to have him as a Sydney King.” 

Hogg, who is currently playing in Puerto Rico with Mayaguez, is expected to arrive in Sydney in mid-August.  

Keep up to date with all the club’s off-season news here.