Cooks: “Dreams Do Come True”

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Sydney Kings’ captain and league MVP Xavier Cooks spoke on his dream of playing in the NBA has finally come true, after signing with the Washington Wizards on a two-year contract.

Sydney Kings’ captain and league MVP Xavier Cooks has spoken about how his dream of playing in the NBA has finally come true, after signing with the Washington Wizards on a two-year contract.

The news broke yesterday that the Kings’ star forward will be heading to the NBA once the Sydney siders battle it out in the Championship Series against the New Zealand Breakers to claim the NBL23 trophy.

Cooks was overwhelmed with the news of playing in the biggest league in the world, and even admitted he was unsure of making it due to his age.

“There’s not really many people that get to achieve their dreams and I’ve had a dream to go to the NBA for so many years. For it to finally happen, it’s pretty cool,” Cooks said.

“As I’ve got older I’ve realised they’re not going to bring in a 28-year-old rookie and luckily enough they’re bringing in a 27-year-old rookie.

“It gives me an opportunity to earn my place over there and they’re a very talented team. I don’t think their record represents how talented they are.

“They’re missing a couple little pieces on the team but they’ll be alright…. we’ll be alright.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A dream come true for <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL</a> MVP <a href="https://twitter.com/xaviercooks10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@xaviercooks10</a> – who has signed a two-year deal to play with the <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WashWizards</a> in the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/BenceHamerli?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BenceHamerli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Basketball?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Basketball</a> <a href="https://t.co/I2Tx1kqrXc">pic.twitter.com/I2Tx1kqrXc</a></p>— 10 News First (@10NewsFirst) <a href="https://twitter.com/10NewsFirst/status/1632668920602583040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Cooks deservingly won the NBL MVP this year, showing his true potential as a player and impressing NBA scouts with his performances.

The 27-year-old averages 15.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, while making winning plays on the defensive end.

Cooks is excited for his new chapter with the Wizards, adding his style of play is the perfect fit for his future NBA team.

“Our game styles really align perfectly, they like to play fast and switch on defence. From a basketball aspect it’s a really good fit,” he said on SEN Breakfast.

“The NBA is a whole different game, there’s different rules in international basketball and it’s going to be an adjustment period to all of that stuff but I’m excited for the journey.

“Dreams do come true, and I’m going to the NBA.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBLxNBA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBLxNBA</a> ?<br><br>Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks is set to join the NBA at the conclusion of the NBL Championship Series, agreeing to a two-year deal with the Washington Wizards ?<br><br>Read more: <a href="https://t.co/NYSFhIccjm">https://t.co/NYSFhIccjm</a> <a href="https://t.co/5YUsSgr2j0">pic.twitter.com/5YUsSgr2j0</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1632627438135169024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Before fully focusing on his next big step, Cooks and the Kings are locked into the Championship Series, as they levelled the series at 1-1 on Sunday.
They will host the Breakers in Game 3 on Friday night at 7:30pm AEDT. Watch the game live and free on ESPN via Kayo Freebies, Sky Sport in NZ and free-to-air on Prime in NZ.