Tag: NBL

Brooklyn Nets draft prospect Xavier Cooks signs NBL contract

Former undrafted talent Xavier Cooks just signed a three-year deal in the NBL, but is hopeful to earn a spot on an NBA team.

Winthrop Eagles alum Xavier Cooks has decided to sign a three-year deal with the Sydney Kings of Australia’s NBL, Cooks spoke with the Nets before his decision.

Cooks signed a contract that leaves him “an out” for the NBA, where he remains hopeful to get a roster spot come draft day.

According to reports, Cooks and the front office of the Brooklyn Nets had “good talks” surrounding the idea of a two-way contract. The super athletic forward just won the NBL Finals for the Sydney Kings, earning a Grand Finals MVP honor along the way.

Cooks went undrafted in 2018 before going to play for professional German basketball team S.Oliver Würzburg, ultimately signing a deal with the Sydney Kings.

Cooks was a talented collegiate athlete for Winthrop University, where he won Big South Player of the Year. Cooks averaged 17 points per game with six boards per contest in his senior campaign.

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NBL standout Luke Travers invited to NBA G League Elite Camp

Travers was an NBL Rookie of the Year finalist after averaging 7.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27 games.

Luke Travers, a 6-foot-9 forward from the Perth Wildcats in the National Basketball League, has been reportedly invited to participate in the NBA G League Elite Camp, according to JD Shaw of Hoops Rumors.

The elite camp gives prospects the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of NBA and G League scouts, coaches and front-office executives from May 16-17 in Chicago. The top performers will be invited to perform in the draft combine.

Travers, who was born in Perth, was an NBL Rookie of the Year finalist after averaging 7.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 27 games with the Wildcats. He shot 42% from the field, including 25% from 3-point range.

Travers is highly touted for his versatility and ability to guard multiple positions. He is not currently projected to be drafted but could climb up teams’ boards with a strong showing in the elite camp. He has since left Perth for the United States in order to prepare for the draft.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Filipino center Kai Sotto of the NBL to declare for 2022 NBA draft

Sotto, a former four-star prospect, averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 23 games with the Adelaide 36ers.

Kai Sotto, a 7-foot-2 center from the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League, announced on Thursday he will declare for the 2022 NBA draft.

Sotto, a former four-star prospect from the Philippines, averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds on 50% shooting from the field in 23 games with the 36ers. He produced perhaps his best game of the season on April 10 after recording a career-high 21 points.

He previously signed with the NBA G League Ignite for the 2020-21 season but never suited up due to prior obligations with the Philippines national team. He was the first international player to sign a contract with the G League.

Sotto is not projected to be selected by most mock drafts, but he will have the opportunity to improve his positioning in private workouts with teams. He could also be a candidate to participate in the draft combine next month.

The NBA draft will take place on June 23.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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The Sydney Kings have signed NBA …

The Sydney Kings have signed NBA championship-winning guard Ian Clark for the remainder of Hungry Jacks NBL22 season.  The 191cm versatile guard will come into the line-up for tomorrow’s clash against the Brisbane Bullets at Qudos Bank Arena and takes his place in the roster as an injury replacement for Jordan Hunter.  Clark played 330 games in his NBA career, which was highlighted by playing a vital role off the bench for arguably one of the greatest teams of all-time, the 2017 NBA champions the Golden State Warriors, playing alongside Kings part-owner Andrew Bogut and backing up one of the greatest shooters in the game, Steph Curry.  Hoops Capital and Kings CEO Chris Pongrass said Clark’s signing came after an extensive and considered search.  “We are thrilled to have Ian joining our organisation.”

NBA teams interested in preseason games vs. NBL clubs

Up to a dozen NBA teams have reached out to the NBL about playing pre-season games next season in a testament to the growing respect between the two leagues. NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger confirmed head office has received “unprecedented” levels of interest from NBA franchises. However, Loeliger indicated the league would “in all likelihood” need to limit the pre-season series to a maximum of four NBL teams to allow for a timely start to the 2022/2023 season.

“We are widely regarded as the best …

“We are widely regarded as the best league outside of the NBA itself so it’s little wonder teams want to play against our clubs and tune up for the season proper. “For our teams it’s a great credit to them and their professionalism and competitiveness that this many NBA teams want to engage and have them fly over for pre-season games.” An NBL team has never beaten an NBA rival in the 15 pre-season games thus far, but a few sides have come close.

Former Celtics assistant Scott Morrison to be next head coach of NBL’s Perth Wildcats

The former Boston assistant is taking over the helm of the NBL’s winningest franchise.

Former Boston Celtics assistant coach Scott Morrison has been hired to be the new head coach of the Perth (Australia) Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL) of Australia and New Zealand (not to be confused with the defunct US league of the same name that merged with the Basketball Association of America to become the NBA), per MassLive’s Brian Robb.

Morrison left the Celtics after a four-year stint with the Celtics as an assistant, having joined Boston in 2017 after serving as head coach of their developmental affiliate in the NBA’s G League (the Maine Red Claws — now known as the Maine Celtics) for three seasons.

Morrison takes over something of the NBL’s version of the Celtics, with the Perth Wildcats the league’s winningest franchise with 10 titles to their name, and 37 consecutive postseason appearances, an unmatched feat in Australian sports.

Morrison just so happens to share his name with the top politician in Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, which the former Celtics assistant finds humorous.

“If the shoe was on the other foot and my favourite Canadian team hired Justin Trudeau to coach the team I think I’d get a great kick out of that, so I don’t blame anybody for laughing,” he joked via ABC Australia’s Blake Kagi.

This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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