NBL22 Roster Breakdown – The Bigs

Written by Matt McQuade for Kings Media 

We close our series analysing the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings NBL22 roster with the team’s final position group; a group that is without question the deepest on the team and might be, man for man, one of the most talented in the National Basketball League.

That would be the Kings’ frontcourt; a collection of tall, mobile and athletic individuals with a wide-ranging skillset, from the ability to post up and be a factor inside to facing up and putting the ball on the floor in an attack on the basket, even stretching the court from way out on the perimeter.

This is a serious collection of frontline grunt. So much so that it’s – on paper at least – comparable to some of the biggest and best frontcourts ever to wear the purple and gold.

Long-time Kings’ fans would remember with fondness the Great Wall of Sydney in 1992, a frontline that started Dean ‘Man Mountain’ Uthoff at 6’11”, Kenny ‘The Chief’ McClary at 6’8” and Mark ‘Tang’ Dalton at 6’7”, all huge, powerful ballplayers who dominated the paint at both ends.

Then for one game in the 1999/2000 season, the Kings started an imposing line of 7’1” Acie Earl, 6’11” Ben Melmeth and 6’10” Matthew Nielsen, backed up by the 6’7” Scott McGregor. It was a shame that group only lasted a short time; potentially they could have wrecked the league.

And of course, in recent times you had the NBL20 Grand Final frontcourt of 7’1” Andrew Bogut; 6’11” Daniel Kickert, 6’4” Jae’Sean Tate, 6’9” Craig Moller and 6’8” Xavier Cooks – a group that very nearly powered the Kings to their fourth title.

But this current assemblage of bigs – a position that goes a legitimate six-deep – has so much size that the shortest among them stands at 6’7” and the rest of the unit is listed at 6’10”, 6’10”, 6’8”, 6’10” and 6’11”.

What is most exciting however is this group’s versatility – the word versatile a real watchword among insiders and close observers of this roster.

They can dominate inside, spread the court with outside shooting, run the pick and roll and pick and pop effectively and get up and down the floor with frightening speed in transition.

I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised at how much the bigs have become a real focus of this roster, considering that the organisation features the two absolute best big men that this country has ever produced – Andrew Bogut and Luc Longley.

Both those guys have so much to give from a development perspective – Longley has already worked wonders with Jordan Hunter as one notable example – and both are a veritable encyclopedia of big man play. Indeed, when it comes to learning about the nuances of what it takes to be an outstanding frontcourt player, there is no better resource than Bogut and Longley.

This Sydney frontline group could dominate in NBL22. But they will still face significant challenges from the likes of arch-rivals Illawarra, who have added 6’11” Olympic bronze medallist Duop Reath to a squad that already features 6’11” NBL21 Most Improved Player Sam Froling and 6’11” veteran AJ Ogilvy and has added talented yet enigmatic 6’11” Harry Froling.

The South East Melbourne Phoenix boasts solid depth up front now with Mitch Creek, Dane Pineau and Tohi Smith-Milner, not to mention their recent addition of Chinese superstar Zhou Qi, a guy who has played in the NBA, plus the Phoenix still has the ability to add another import big if they so choose.

Adelaide has a pair of extremely talented bigs in Isaac Humphries and Daniel Johnson, an intriguing prospect in Kai Sotto and still have an import slot available to use on a big, athletic, rim-protecting type; and even though Perth lost double-double machine John Mooney to Japan, they brought in a serious weapon in Vic Law, will no doubt replace Mooney with a quality big and have veteran depth in Jesse Wagstaff and Majok Majok.

But the overall depth of Sydney’s phalanx of bigs is what should get Kings’ fans really pumped. Let’s take a look at this potentially awesome group.

 

JARELL MARTIN

There’s little doubt that Jarell Martin was a success story for the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings in NBL21.

He led the team in scoring, averaging 17.9 points per game, pulled down 7.0 rebounds per contest and was very efficient across the board, with shooting splits of 50.0% from the field, 40.0% from three-point range and 78.4% from the free throw line.

About the only downer was annoying injuries that saw him limited to 28 of a possible 36 games last season. But when he got healthy, he was a dominant force, leading the Kings in scoring in four of their last five games as the team made a brave, last-ditch attempt to reach the playoffs, an effort that fell agonisingly short.

So, the biggest wish for the former Memphis Grizzlies big man is that he remains as injury-free as possible in NBL22, because he can be a real difference-maker for this ballclub.

His physical gifts are obvious. At 6’10” he’s a wide load in the post, with uncommon quick feet that make him a tough cover in the low block. But then, he’s also a guy who’s comfortable facing up and putting it on the floor, let alone also be a rare big man who has serious outside range.

Jarell also impressed in his final game of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas for the Utah Jazz, putting up 23 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and four steals in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers – hopefully a sign of great things to come this season for the Kings.

Interestingly, he can be used by Head Coach Chase Buford in a variety of ways thanks to his versatility – there’s that word again – with a chance he starts at either the four or five spot.

Not surprisingly, Jarell’s importance is not lost on his coach.

“He’s an extremely talented player with a ton of experience,” Coach Buford stated.

“He can really do it all – space the floor, handle screen and roll and I think he’s going to be a key asset for us.”

 

XAVIER COOKS

No one doubts that Xavier Cooks isn’t anything other than an extremely talented ballplayer.

The exciting thing for fans of the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings is that they haven’t seen anywhere near what this guy is capable of.

X is the epitome of the term ‘tremendous upside’. His potential is off the charts. In fact, there are good judges who believe that he has the capability to reach the NBA.

Now all he needs to do is – knock on wood – stay healthy.

Primed for a huge season in NBL21, instead he suffered one of those frustrating preseason injuries against the Illawarra Hawks at Qudos Bank Arena that put him on the shelf for months; this after he suffered a knee injury in 2019 that denied him a spot with the Australian Boomers in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

But when Xavier returned to the Sydney line-up for the stretch run of the NBL21 regular season, he came back with a vengeance.

In eight games he averaged 10.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 blocked shots per contest while putting up impressive shooting numbers of 53.4% from the field and 50.0% from three-point range.

Importantly, X showed that he’d lost none of his trademark athleticism, and he looked to have improved his perimeter shooting – if that continues to trend upwards in NBL22, that’s going to be a heck of a weapon for a guy whose length and mobility already makes him difficult to stop in the low post.

There’s no question Xavier will be vital to the fortunes of his team this season, as his head coach will attest to.

“Xavier has a ton of versatility,” Coach Buford said.

“He’s a talented all-around player; a fun guy to work with and I’m excited to see what we can get out of him this year.”

 

JORDAN HUNTER

Very few NBL media types – if any – forecast the terrific progress Jordan Hunter made last season.

In some ways, it’s an oversight that’s easy to forgive, especially when you consider he barely played in his rookie season behind megastar pivot Andrew Bogut. He just wasn’t someone who was on the radar for many people.

But thanks in part to working with Luc Longley and Ben Knight during the offseason, Jordan had a bust-out campaign in NBL21. Playing all 36 games, he averaged 9.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocked shots per game while shooting the ball at 56.8% from the field and 73.0% from the free throw line, numbers that saw him finish second in voting for the NBL Most Improved award.

He had a sensational nine for nine game against New Zealand at the NBL Cup in Melbourne, finishing with a career-high 24 points, and he led the Kings in rebounding on ten occasions.

Jordan’s size is complemented by excellent mobility and underrated athleticism. He can get up and down the court with rare speed for a big guy, and he’s become someone who can both work with and take advantage of different pick and roll situations.

The next phase of his development will be seeing if he can increase his shooting range and become more of a consistent outside threat – if he can do that, he’s going to add even more to this roster in the upcoming season.

Regardless, Coach Buford has been very impressed with his emerging centre.

“He’s been a great leader for us so far this offseason,” Coach Buford affirmed.

“I think Jordi will continue to grow as a rim protector and a roller on both screens and dribble hand-offs.”

 

MATUR MAKER

The name Maker will be one already familiar to Sydney Kings fans.

That would be thanks to the exploits of one Thon Maker, who has played in the NBA with the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers.

And now Thon’s younger brother Matur, himself blessed with NBA-calibre talent, has joined the purple and gold in what he hopes will be the start of his journey to the Association.

As a youngster, he was highly valued and expected to be a strong NBA prospect. Case in point – in 2017 he played in the high-profile Adidas Nations tournament and balled out, averaging 26.0 points per game and going for 31 points in the final against a US team that featured none other than current New Orleans Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson.

Most expected Matur to be a 2018 NBA draftee. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, and since then he’s taken a circuitous route to Sydney, with stops in Switzerland, Slovenia and the NBA G-League.

Things may haven’t gone the way Matur may have expected – at least, not yet. But with a professional set-up at the Kings, and two incredible big men to learn from in Luc Longley and Andrew Bogut, he’s easily someone who can make the leap to the next level.

Why the confidence? Physically, he’s got those gifts everyone loves. He’s got the terrific size, the quickness, and he boasts a tremendous wingspan.

The skills are there in abundance as well. He can score inside and out, can change shots thanks to his length and ability to get vertical in a hurry and he has the potential to be a terror on the fast break.

Count Chase Buford as one man who is thrilled to have an athlete like Matur on his roster.

“He’s an exciting athlete,” Coach Buford said.

“Matur is a big with a lot of size and he can play the middle of the court.”

 

MAKUR MAKER

Sydney has had a fair bit of success when it comes to Next Stars over the past few seasons.

Brian Bowen was the first, winding up with the NBA’s Indiana Pacers on a two-way deal and playing 12 games for the Pacers over the past two seasons. Then of course there was Didi Louzada, who spent a season and a half with the purple and gold before being recalled by the team who held his NBA rights, the New Orleans Pelicans, who promptly signed him to a multi-year contract.

Add in the likes of Jae’Sean Tate and his rapid progression from Sydney to the Houston Rockets – plus his remarkable performance at NBA level – and it’s easy to see why the Kings are such an attraction for a youngster like Makur, who is their latest Next Star and, in some quarters, has been projected as a 2022 NBA draft pick.

It’s easy to see why. Like his cousin Matur, Makur is blessed with next-level physical traits. Standing nearly seven feet tall, he’s a tremendous athlete who can handle the ball, shoot it from long distance and dominate inside with his great length. The thought of the Maker boys unleashing hell on the NBL is an exciting prospect.

And if Makur can harness his enormous potential this season, the Sydney Kings could be in a position to send yet another player to the NBA.

Not surprisingly, Chase Buford can’t wait to see what his talented youngster is capable of in NBL22.

“Makur is an extremely exciting prospect who can do it all,” Coach Buford said.

“He’s got great size and athleticism and should be a heck of a player for us.”

 

TOM VODANOVICH

If there was a guy who was a pleasant surprise for the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings last season, it was Tom Vodanovich, who was added to the roster for virtually nothing as a replacement player for the injured Xavier Cooks.

Not much was expected of the New Zealand forward, but he gave the Kings some welcome pop off the bench and will be counted on for more of the same in NBL22.

Tom was one of just four Sydney players to appear in all 36 games last season, averaging 5.0 points and 2.4 rebounds per game while shooting the ball at 43.2% from the field, 37.5% from three-point range and 76.0% from the charity stripe.

He showed good range from the perimeter, strength inside and importantly he’s someone who works hard every moment he’s on the floor.

His inside-outside game will be a key off the bench this season according to Head Coach Chase Buford.

“Tommy is a guy who I think can space the floor for us,” Coach Buford said.

“Amongst our big line-ups, he can give us a little bit more versatility; play with multiple players.”

 

Guards Roster Breakdown available HERE

Wings Roster Breakdown available HERE.