Buford and Cooks sanctioned

Sydney Kings coach Chase Buford and player Xavier Cooks have been handed down sanctions for breaches of the NBL Code of Conduct during and after last weekend’s game against the Illawarra Hawks. 

The sanctions are as follows:

• Chase Buford has been fined $10,000 and received a single match suspension that will be suspended until the completion of the 2022/23 NBL Season for multiple breaches of the NBL Code of Conduct following the match 
• Xavier Cooks has been fined $2000 for a breach of the NBL Code of Conduct during the match

The Semi-Final series between Illawarra and Sydney begins tomorrow night with game one at the WIN Entertainment Centre at 7:30pm AEST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN via Kayo Freebies. 

Buford apologised for his comments yesterday.

"What I said was totally out of line, just an immature and emotional reaction to a play," Buford told AAP.

"I've got to stop getting involved in personal battles with the officials.

"I understand why Goorj feels the way he does about it."