Rosen blown away by Ring of Honour Award

Growing up, Brad Rosen only wanted one thing and that was to play for the Sydney Kings.

He achieved that dream and some during his five-year NBL career, pulling on the Kings jersey on 99 occasions.

While he only averaged 4.1 points, one rebound, and 1.5 assists during that span, his impact of the Hoops Capital club was ever-lasting, shown by him this week being announced as the third inductee of the Sydney Kings Ring of Honour - alongside Tom Garlepp and Ben Knight.

"I'm not one to be short of a word ever but this honour sure did get me," Rosen said.

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"From someone who supported the Supersonics when they first started in 1985 to becoming a floor-wiper and watching the club grow [from the Supersonics and Weststars] into the Kings and wishing I was one of those players - to then go on and play for them, be an assistant coach, win a championship and now doing commentary and all the other commitments - it's a hugely special honour and one I'm still trying to wrap my head around.

"It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it because this club means everything to me and all I ever wanted was to be a part of it.

"Although I had offers to go to college or play overseas or to even play for the [South East Melbourne] Magic with Goorj [Brian Goorjian] (which I haven't told very many people about and was extremely hard to say no to because of Goorj's stature around the league), I stayed here in Sydney because all I ever wanted to do was play for the Kings."

Highlighting his team-first nature is the fact his favourite memories from his time in the harbour city are the long-lasting friendships he developed during his time in the purple and gold.

"My favourite memory is the teammates you went to battle with each and every day on that court," the Sydney Comets junior said.

"One of my best friends to this day is still Bruce Bolden - who I grew up watching and idolising, so I definitely had an 'oh my god' moment when I got to room with him, which has led to us speaking all the time to this very day.

"Then there are guys like Dean Uthoff, Mark Dalton, Leon Trimmingham, Damian Keogh and I'm thinking I'm not worthy to be around these guys - next thing I know, I'm on their team, travelling on the road and running onto the King Dome with them, it was a phenomenal part of my life and a dream come true."

Another two names that Rosen had the pleasure of spending time with at the club are Garlepp and Knight, who he'll join in the Kings' prestigious Ring of Honour.

"The thing that gets me the most [about this honour], although I played and captained this great club, is the fact my name will forever be etched alongside those two men as an individual, which is rare in our team sport," Rosen said.

"Not to mention being voted by the fans, which I'm extremely grateful for."

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Rosen will officially be inducted to the Ring of Honour on Sunday at half-time of the Kings' Heritage Round clash with New Zealand, which he knows will be a moment he remembers for the rest of his life.

"As much as this award is for me, it's more of the fact I can bring my family onto the court and share it with me," he said.

"My young kids, who love basketball, are pumped that they can come out onto the court with me, while my mum and dad, who gave up so much for me, are now in their 80s will be there too - it's such an honour to be doing this all with them.

"Then of course there's my wife, who's supported me from day one - who I started dating before I was with the Kings.

"It's going to be a hugely special day for us all."

Tickets to the round 16 Qudos Bank Arena fixture are still available here.