“As long as I'm in the league": Kings gun lays down the marker

The continued rise of the Sydney Kings this season has been credited to a number of individuals, including Brian Goorjian and Kendric Davis.

Another who has been crucial for the Harbour City side this season, once again, is reigning Sixth Man of the Year Kouat Noi.

Through the first 20 rounds of the Hungry Jack’s campaign, in which the Kings have gone 21-9, Noi is averaging 11.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

It’s that impact that has the NBL23 champion firmly in the mix for going back-to-back as the competition’s top bench player.

“As long as you play your role and play it well, opportunities will come,” Noi said during Thursday’s episode of NBL Now.

“It's a testament to my hard work and resilience. It also sends a message to young kids that whether you start or come off the bench, you can still make the most of your role.

“As long as I'm in the league, I'm going to keep it [the Sixth Man of the Year award] for myself.”

A big part of the 28-year-old’s strong play has been coach Goorjian, who has helped take the forward’s game to the next level.

“He makes sure we’re not taking a step back; we’ve been stacking good days,” he said.

“Our practices are competitive, they’re hard.

“[Honestly] he’s the best coach to ever come to the NBL.”

Part of what makes Noi who he is is his entertainment factor, seeing Goorjian call him the team’s “showman”.

Noi fully embraces that role of putting on a show for the fans.

“I'm a culture guy, someone a franchise needs to keep things loose,” he continued..

“Being myself helps others be themselves.

“[Then on the flip side with opposition fans] if you don’t have haters, you’re not doing it right.”

Kouat Noi is a $172,300 forward in the NBL’s official fantasy game, Beat The Coach, presented by Choice Hotels. Take on Damon Lowery and Beat the Coach in any round of the NBL26 Season and you’ll receive an entry into the end-of-season $10,000 prize draw, including $5,000 cash and $5,000 in Choice Hotels™ gift vouchers. Sign up to play now here.

After defeating South East Melbourne on Sunday, Noi believes the Kings have established themselves as competition favourites.

“I feel it in the air, we're the team to beat,” he said.

“We can't take our foot off the gas though, we must keep stacking good days. This has to be the year.”

Next up for the Kings, who have won 14 of their past 16 games, is a Friday night showdown with Illawarra in Wollongong.

“It [the keys to victory] starts with pressure from the beginning, making sure they feel us. Nothing easy. Make their catches tough and disrupt them offensively,” he said.

“If we do that, we can run our offence, as defence is our identity.”

Friday’s Round 21 fixture tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.