Fans Preparing for Last Look at NBA-Bound Stars

The NBL23 season all comes to a head tonight. The Championship Series will be decided, and while a winner will be crowned, one side will be left destitute and heartbroken.

The Kings head into Game 5 as hot favourites for a clash that looks set to be played out in front of over 15,000 screaming fans. Not only will the Sydney faithful be hoping to see their side lift the championship trophy, but they’ll also want one last look at NBA-bound Xavier Cooks.

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Cooks is not the only player who is likely headed to the NBA, with NBL Next Star Rayan Rupert almost locked in as a first round selection in the upcoming NBA Draft.

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NBL analyst Liam Santamaria says fans of the league should appreciate players from either side before some of them inevitably depart come season’s end.

“We know for sure this is the last time we see [Cooks] before he goes off and has his adventure,” Santamaria said on NBL Today. “There’s an element of celebration in regards to him because he joins that NBLxNBA pathway.

“It’s going to be the last time we see some other guys [too].

“Is it going to be the last time we see Tom Abercrombie on an NBL court? Hopefully not.

“It’s definitely the last time we’re going to see one or more of the imports that are on these teams, it’s the last time we’re probably going to see Rayan Rupert in an NBL game.

“It’s going to be a massive one.”

The topsy-turvy nature of the series has made it almost impossible to make a nailed-on prediction as to who wins heading into tonight’s game.

Of course, the Kings have home-court advantage and have the experience of last season’s title win to draw upon, but the Breakers’ roster looks healthier according to Liam Santamaria.

“I think the Breakers,” Santamaria said when prompted for a prediction.

“I was on them at the start of the series and I think their stars are healthier and feeling better.

“Cooks is not only feeling banged up, but he’d be lacking a little bit of his usual confidence right now because he hasn’t been playing well – whereas Brown Jr, Jarrell Brantley, McDowell-White are playing really well.

“I think after what’s going to be an absolute slugfest the Breakers are going to get up at the end of the night.”

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