'Everyone played a role in this Championship': Kings praise unsung heroes

With the Hungry Jack’s NBL Championship now residing in Sydney, a lot of the credit can go to Series MVP Kendric Davis, who averaged 27.2 points, 10.4 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game.

Not to be outdone were Australian Boomers Xavier Cooks and Matthew Dellavedova, who both played a pivotal role in the Kings securing their sixth title against Adelaide.

But those stars were quick to share the credit around and highlight the key roles their teammates played, not just during the Championship Series but the entire Hungry Jack’s 2025-26 campaign.

“In every moment of this game [Game 5] someone had to come in and make a play,” Cooks said to the media following Sunday’s win.

“Delly hit some huge threes down the stretch and everyone's been doubting him, but he stepped up [when we needed him too].

“Makuach [Maluach] comes in during overtime, after [one of you guys] fouls out and gets two massive steals.

“[Then] JG (Jaylin Galloway) has been in our club now for six or seven years. We've really seen his growth over the past couple of years, and he puts in a lot of work, gets up a lot of shots every day, and it was really cool to see him go in and make plays.

“Everybody played a role in this Championship, whether it's guys like Goody (Hunter Goodrick) getting thrown to the ground by JaVale McGee or Robbo (Tyler Robertson) coming in and helping us win games.

“The best part of this Championship is that everyone played a role in it.”

Fellow star Dellavedova echoed Cooks, praising the likes of Maluach and Tim Soares.

“Makuach has been huge for us all year, and the biggest thing about that game, everyone had their moments,” Dellavedova said during Monday’s Championship press conference.

“Timmy [Sores] had that big offensive board to send us into overtime. Makuach had that block, dove on that big loose ball and got out and ran for that dunk.

“I was really happy for him [and all our team], because we all worked hard and deserve this.”

Dellavedova wasn’t the only one to praise Brazilian big man Soares, who has now won two titles in two seasons with the Kings.

“Tim played through so much emotion and took it personally that they [Adelaide] were beating us on the boards,” Kings co-owner and special advisor Luc Longley said to Code Sports.

“I know he was having an out-of-body experience when we won because he ran and tackled me into the courtside seats on the buzzer.

“Best winning hug I’ve ever had. He has been amazing for us, played every game and done everything that has been asked of him. A great human.”

As well as all of the playing group, coach Brian Goorjian was quick to highlight that injured players Bul Kuol, Keli Leaupepe and Robertson “were all a huge part of this”, as was two-time champion, Kouat Noi.

"They're a big part of this team," Kings forward Noi said to AAP.

"Even though they're not playing, they're just on the bench, the energy, the guidance for the guys that haven't been here before was huge."