NBA's Wizards Sign Xavier Cooks

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.

The 27-year-old is expected to sign a deal with the Wizards to play out the remainder of the current NBA season, as well as the 2023-24 NBA season.

The Wizards are currently battling for a playoff spot, sitting 10th in the Eastern conference with a 30-33 win-loss record.

Kings CEO Chris Pongrass said the organisation is excited for the NBL MVP to get his well-earned chance in the NBA.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT <br><br>Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks will join the NBA at the conclusion of the NBL Championship Series, agreeing to a two-year deal with the Washington Wizards. <br><br>Congratulations Xavier ?<br><br>?<a href="https://t.co/KejiTDGq2p">https://t.co/KejiTDGq2p</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheKings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeTheKings</a> <a href="https://t.co/3UxZDBvfLp">pic.twitter.com/3UxZDBvfLp</a></p>&mdash; Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyKings/status/1632472379359399936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"I speak for the entire Kings family when I say we are thrilled for Xavier to take this next step to the NBA and realise his childhood dream,” Pongrass said.

“It is difficult to properly articulate the impact 'X' has had on this Club. His talent, leadership and innate desire to win completely shifted our trajectory these past four seasons.

“It is obvious that he is an NBA talent and belongs among the best players in the world.

“We thank 'X' for his contribution to our Club – he will forever be a King.”

The Wollongong product stamped his authority on the NBL by winning the Larry Sengstock Medal as the Grand Final Series MVP last year, leading the Kings to the NBL22 Championship over Tasmania.

This season his form has not skipped a beat, with Cooks being named the league’s MVP for the NBL23 season and leading the Kings to top spot after the regular season. 

Cooks has averaged 16.2 points a game, 7.8 rebounds and four assists a game, but his impact on his team goes well beyond his on-court performance.

Cooks becomes the fifth player in the past five seasons to leave Sydney to the NBA – joining Brian Bowen Jnr, Andrew Bogut, Jae’Sean Tate and Didi Louzada. 

The Kings are currently tied at 1-1 in the NBL Championship Series against the New Zealand Breakers, with a big crowd expected for Game 3 on Friday night.