'We're Just Getting Started': Cooks on NBA's Aussie Invasion

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Washington Wizards forward Xavier Cooks believes Australian basketball is only just starting to gain the international recognition it deserves.

Cooks – who made his NBA debut after winning a second straight NBL title with the Sydney Kings – is one of a strong group of NBL23 talent to be named in the extended Boomers squad for the upcoming FIBA World Cup.

Keanu Pinder, Sam Froling and Will McDowell-White are the other NBL-based talent from last season to be listed in the 18-man squad, while star guard Matthew Dellavedova has committed to return to the competition with Melbourne United next season.

<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/nbl-podcasts/xavier-cooks-on-sen-may-30-2023/embed?style=artwork" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Xavier Cooks on SEN - May 30, 2023"></iframe>

“I think we’re just starting to get the recognition we deserve,” Cooks told SEN. “I think Australian basketball has been at a high level for so many years, and we’re just starting to get that recognition.

“A few years ago there used to be three or four Australian guys in the NBA, now there’s 10 or 11 of us. It’s awesome to see.

“My first game [for Washington] we played against Dellavedova, then I saw Matt Nielsen at the Spurs, Joe Ingles for Milwaukee.

“It was cool to see the Aussies over there.”

Cooks’ departure from the reigning NBL champions has left a massive hole to fill on both ends of the floor.

The reigning league MVP and NBL22 Championship Series MVP formed the cornerstone of Sydney’s roster build for the past two seasons.

The Kings have signed former Cairns forward and All-NBL Second Team selection DJ Hogg for the upcoming season. A signing Cooks believes will prove to be an astute one from his former side.

“I’ve got nothing but high words to say about the NBL,” Cooks said. “I think it’s a great league and I think it’s done a great job to prepare me for the NBA.

“The league is unbelievable. The speed, the athleticism, it’s so much like the NBA. It’s great.

“DJ Hogg gave us an absolute nightmare all year … he’ll be a great piece for the Sydney Kings.

“He’s an unbelievable player and I think he averaged about 25 against us. He did a good job for Cairns last season, and I think he’s going to do a great job for the Kings.”