Import Star Set for Kings Move?

Friday, May 26, 2023

The Sydney Kings look set to have filled the Xavier Cooks sized hole in their line-up for NBL24

The Sydney Kings look set to have filled the Xavier Cooks sized hole in their lineup for NBL24, with ESPN Insider Olgun Uluc reporting the reigning champions have agreed a deal with star Cairns import DJ Hogg.

While the deal is still unofficial, Hogg would be a huge signing for the Kings.

The 26-year-old took the NBL by storm on both ends of the floor in his debut campaign in the competition, and averaged 18.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game across 33 appearances to spearhead a resurgent Cairns to the semi-finals.

He earned All-NBL Second Team honours as well as the Taipans’ Club and Member MVP awards.

“The expectation, both from Hogg and the Sydney Kings, [is] that Hogg will fill MVP shoes,” Uluc said on The Marketplace. “That is his expectation from day one – that he will be an MVP level player from the moment he steps into the Sydney Kings headquarters.

“They had a really good look at him during that semi-final series (Playoffs) and it took a really gargantuan effort from Justin Simon just to stick on him in Game 3.

“The Kings knew when they saw him that this is the player they want. He’s a stretch four that can really excel in the NBL and they feel like they can help him get to that next level which is the NBA.”

With one star import spot reportedly locked away with the signing of Hogg, Uluc says the reigning champions have now shifted their focus to the acquisition of an exceptional point guard for the upcoming campaign.

The Kings’ last two championship winning teams have been run by All-NBL First Team members. First it was MVP Jaylen Adams in NBL22, then Larry Sengstock Trophy winner Derrick Walton Jr in NBL23.

“Historically what Chris Pongrass and the Sydney Kings have done is they’ve gone after really high-level import point guards,” Uluc continued. “This season will be no different.

“I’m told the money DJ Hogg is on isn’t so immense that they can’t go out and get a really good point guard.

“That’s the priority now, that’s what the Sydney Kings will go into Summer League in Las Vegas looking for.

“Based on the history of this team – you think of Jaylen Adams and Derrick Walton Jr – history suggests that they’ll probably nail it.”