Early bonds power Kings’ Championship push

When Xavier Cooks, Matthew Dellavedova and Kendric Davis came together for an off-season training session and leadership seminar, it sent a clear message: three fiercely competitive players with an unshakable will to win are all in for NBL26.

Cooks already has three Championships under his belt, while the new guard pairing brings an impressive list of achievements from their own careers.

But Sydney’s fortunes this season will hinge less on individual talent and more on how quickly they can click as a unit.

“They’re both just super talented players and they’ll figure it out,” Cooks told Code Sports of Dellavedova and Davis.

The 2023 MVP believes the Kings have gained a head start on their rivals by starting the relationship building process early.

“If they’re around in the off season you can work on these bonds, you can work on the connections. To be able to have those uncomfortable conversations with people, you’ve got to have that kind of foundation and that kind of connection with each other,” Cooks added.

Sydney has retained the heart of its roster, a proven formula for recent Championship teams, even after a campaign that fell well short of expectations.

Alex Toohey, Izayah Le’Afa, Jaylen Adams and Cam Oliver are among the key departures, but the recruitment of Davis, Dellavedova and NBL23 Champion Tim Soares signals that the Kings are firmly targeting another title run.

Throw in the return of Jaylin Galloway, effectively a fresh signing after an injury wrecked season, and Sydney shapes as one of the most fascinating teams to watch heading into the Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Season.

Read the full story here >> NBL26: Sydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks reveals ‘pressure’ that comes with building a super team