NBL MVP Xavier Cooks signs with Washington Wizards as latest Aussie to join NBA

Another Aussie has joined the NBA, with Sydney Kings NBL MVP Xavier Cooks signing a two-year deal with the Washington Wizards.

The 27-year old power forward will play out the remainder of the NBL championship series between Sydney and the New Zealand Breakers before he links up with the Wizards for the rest of the current NBA campaign and 2023/24 on a contract buyout.

Cooks has averaged 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and four assists per game this season to take out MVP honours after leading the Kings to the championship last season, where he won the Larry Sengstock Medal as the Grand Final Series MVP.

The Wollongong product, who went undrafted out of college at Winthrop, has also played professionally in Germany and New Zealand, signing with the Kings in 2019.

He becomes the fifth player in the last five seasons to leave Sydney to join the NBA, with the team’s front office – including former Memphis Grizzlies executive Chris Pongrass and Australian greats Andrew Bogut and Luc Longley – keen on the organisation to provide such a transition for players.

“I speak for the entire Kings family when I say we are thrilled for Xavier to take this next step to the NBA and realise his childhood dream,” Pongrass said in a statement.

“It is difficult to properly articulate the impact X has had on this club. His talent, leadership and innate desire to win completely shifted our trajectory these past four seasons.

“It is obvious that he is an NBA talent and belongs among the best players in the world.

“We thank X for his contribution to our club – he will forever be a King.”

Cooks also becomes the 11th Aussie to join the current NBA ranks alongside Ben Simmons, Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels, Josh Green, Joe Ingles, Matisse Thybulle, Patty Mills, Jock Landale, Matthew Dellavedova and Jack White.

The Wizards are fighting for a playoff spot, currently sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 30-33 record.