The Claude Williams MVP Award to return for Indigenous Round game

Kings legend Claude Williams will again hand out the  MVP award named in his honour for Sunday's Indigenous Round home game.

The Claude Williams MVP Award is an initiative that honours and pays tribute to the incredible sporting achievements of one of the NBL’s first Indigenous players and former Kings Head Coach. 

The club wanted to recognise Willaims’ contributions to the Brydens Lawyers Sydney Kings and the club legend was offered to have an award named after him.

The Claude Williams MVP Award is handed to the best player of the match during the Kings’ Indigenous game. Last season Kings forward Craig Moller won the award.

When the award was announced Williams said what it meant to have it named after him.

“I’m very humbled by the Kings naming this award after me. I thought it was really nice when the Kings reached out to me to bring me down and have me as part of this game again,” Williams said in the announcement.

“They mentioned they wanted to create an award in my name, that was something that I’d never dreamed of … I’ve been the first and only Aboriginal to be a Head Coach in the NBL, which I’m very proud of, but I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing a few more following in my footsteps.”

Prior to the Kings’ Indigenous Round game, this week Kings media spoke with Williams to look back on the introduction of the award last year and what it entails this season.

“It’s an honour and a privilege for me and anyone in my position to have that award named after me,” Williams said.

“It’s something I never dreamed of, it really made me feel good. There are quite a few people who have played in the past, and it’s nice to be remembered. It’s nice for the fans, the new fans especially to recognise old names, 'awh who’s Claude Williams?’ and then these new Kings fans can learn about our history.”

Our Indigenous Round home game is on track to be one of our biggest crowds this season. After all the COVID disruptions and crowd-less games of the past few years, Williams is excited to attend a packed Qudos Bank Arena.

“It’s great to see fans back,” he said.

“It jogs my memory back to the Grand Final (2020) at Qudos Bank Arena, and it was empty.  I remember watching it with no crowds and I felt for the guys, and for all the teams who had to play without fans.

“It’s fantastic to see the crowds back. It’s great because the Kings have recruited quite well, and the injuries are less of a concern. They’ve really found their mark.”

Claude Williams will be presenting the Claude Williams MVP award on Sunday, March 6 at 2.45pm at Qudos Bank Arena. If you haven’t already, get your tickets here.

The Kings’ Indigenous jersey are sale via our store https://shop.sydneykings.com.au/ 

VIEW THE KINGS MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES HERE 

WATCH EPISODE THREE OF ‘BUILDING THE KINGDOM’ HERE