Washington Wizards sign Australian power forward Xavier Cooks

Xavier Cooks – upload.wikimedia.org

Sydney Kings power forward Xavier Cooks has reportedly signed a two-year contract with the Washington Wizards, making him the latest Australian to move to the NBA.

The Kings’ upcoming NBL Finals series against the New Zealand Breakers will be Cooks’ final game with the team. The series is now tied 1-1 following the Kings’ 81-74 victory in Saturday’s Game 2.

The 27-year-old follows in the footsteps of Brian Bowen, Andrew Bogut, Jae’Sean Tate and Didi Louzada, who earlier left the land down under for the American League.

Kings CEO Chris Pongrass said he spoke for “the entire Kings family” when he announced they were excited for Cooks to make “his childhood dream” come true in the NBA.

“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.”

Chris Pongrass, Sydney Kings CEO

Pongrass said it was hard to describe the impact of Cooks on his team. He explained that Cooks has the talent, leadership capabilities and a natural desire to win that have radically helped the Kings improve over the last four seasons. The 6-foot-8 power forward is a fluid defender with good passing abilities.

“It is obvious that he is an NBA talent and belongs among the best players in the world,” the former Memphis Grizzlies executive said, adding that Cooks “will forever be a King.”

Cooks went undrafted after an excellent college career at Winthrop. After gaining professional experience in Germany and New Zealand, he signed with the Kings in 2019.

He has averaged 15.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game this season, leading the Kings to a league-best 19-9 record. During the regular season, he shot a career-high 59.6 percent from the field.

The Wizards aim to squeak into the playoffs and bring Cooks in for the last stretch of the season. The team currently sits 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 30-33 record heading into Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks.