Sydney Kings ahead Kouat Noi insists Xavier Cooks’ impending transfer to the NBA won’t distract the defending champions from the NBL championship sequence.
The league’s newly minted MVP, 27-year-old Cooks is becoming a member of the Washington Wizards on the conclusion of the best-of-five sequence on a maiden NBA contract that expires on the finish of subsequent season.
The transfer comes after months of hypothesis the artful 203cm ahead might be the following Australian to observe gamers together with Josh Giddey, Jack White and Jock Landale from the NBL to the NBA.
Interest in Cooks’ future has solely intensified because the Kings introduced his transfer on Monday, and given the Wizards are but to verify his signing publicly it’s more likely to stay on the agenda because the NBL season reaches its climax.
But with the championship sequence towards the New Zealand Breakers hanging within the stability at 1-1, Cooks is downplaying his NBA contract lest it distract the Kings.
“We’ve got two more wins to go and we’ve come this far,” Cooks stated.
“There’s no point thinking about what comes next when we’ve fought so hard to be here.”
Ahead of the third sport of the sequence – to be performed in Sydney on Friday – Cooks’ technique appeared to have rubbed off on his teammates.
“The championship is the only thing on our mind,” Noi stated.
“We’re all very proud of Xavier for achieving his childhood dream but our main goal is to win the championship. I know he knows that too.”
Noi joined the Kings from the Cairns Taipans this season and has grow to be one in all coach Chase Buford’s favorite bench gamers.
When Cooks and fellow All-NBL First Team member Derrick Walton Jr left Sunday’s sport with leg accidents, Noi stepped up with 20 factors from the bench – his highest tally for the season.
The Texas Christian University product stated Cooks’ new contract had helped mild a path to the NBA from Australia.
“The NBL is the best league, I believe, outside of the NBA,” Noi stated.
“Whenever there’s a chance for a guy in the NBL to make it to the big leagues, it gives me confidence.
“I attempt for the NBA dream too, so within the upcoming years hopefully I’ll be the following one to go.”
Walton was able to run unencumbered by his sore quadricep at training on Wednesday and Cooks confirmed his own injured leg would be fine for the third game of the series.
“It feels good,” Cooks said. “We did not have a full aggressive coaching (session) simply to take care of our our bodies, however I did what I might.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
