NBL legend champions Hunter influence

The Sydney Kings are flying under new head coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah, and while there have been flashes of the growing pains expected under a new head coach, they’ve ended Round 3 with a 4-1 record – which is the equal best in the competition.

The Kings’ bench unit earned massive plaudits in both the NBL22 and NBL23 titles, and now one of those backup members has elevated himself to star status at the beginning of the new season despite the presence of a former NBA gun in his position.

Jordan Hunter.

The former Saint Mary’s Gael is currently averaging career highs in points, three-point percentage and free throw percentages, offensive rebounds, assists and blocks per game five matches into the new season, and has pulled together two of his top three career scoring performances.

Five games is not a huge sample size in the context of a 28 game season, but Hunter has more than ably filled the void left by departed import centres Tim Soares and Jarell Martin from the past two seasons.

NBL legend Derek Rucker says he isn’t surprised at Hunter’s emergence this season.

“He’s very, very underrated and I always felt it was going to be his time this season to show what he’s truly about,” Rucker said on Moments That Matter.

“You can see what he can do when given the opportunities.

“With Jordi a lot of his struggles have been health related, but as long as he can stay healthy the Sydney Kings have a very valuable piece they can build around with a local big.

“I didn’t anticipate this start to the season for [the Kings], but they’ve gelled well and that’s full credit to their coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah. This team looks really good after five games.”

Sydney face Tasmania for the second time this season on Sunday, this time at Qudos Bank Arena.