Community in focus for Khazzouh

Winston Hills NBL star Julian Khazzouh is out for the rest of the season.

Sydney Kings star Julian Khazzouh. Picture: Peter Kelly

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Winston Hills NBL star Julian Khazzouh may be out for the rest of the season, but he remains an active supporter of the Kings as they push towards the playoffs.

It was announced late last month that the Oakhill College alumni would miss the rest of the 2016-17 season, as he continues to recover from a quadriceps tendon injury sustained just over a year ago.

In order to be eligible for the post-season, Khazzouh — who has played basketball since he was 13 — must play at least eight games in the regular season.

Khazzouh and the Sydney Kings welcomed 300 young basketballers to its Super Clinic at Sydney Olympic Park on January 11. Picture: Sydney Kings

Kings executive director Jeff Van Groningen said the team “felt that the added pressure associated with the eight game minimum threshold was unhelpful to Julian’s recovery process at this time”.

“Julian has been an important part of the Sydney Kings organisation for a number of years, and losing him for the rest of the season is unfortunate,” he said.

“However, Julian’s health and welfare are paramount to us and we will continue to support him through this process.”

Khazzouh said while his recovery was going “really well”, the decision not to play this season would allow him to fully prepare for his return to the NBL by participating in the next pre-season.

Khazzouh with members of the Sydney Kings Super Clinic at Sydney Olympic Park on January 11. Picture: Sydney Kings

“I’ve had a lot of time now to clear my head about it,” he said.

“Because at the end of the day it is probably the best thing for my career moving forward ... I think my biggest fear was coming back and not being able to contribute as a King straight away because I hadn’t done any pre-season or played any games.”

The 2016-17 season would have been Khazzouh’s fourth with the Kings, with the centre averaging 16.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game over his three active seasons with the club.

One of the Kings’ first signings, Khazzouh was team captain from 2010 to 2012, and was named to the All NBL First Team in both the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons.

Khazzouh plays against students from his old school, Oakhill College, on December 1.

Although he will not be on court this season, Khazzouh has remained an active part of the team, participating in warm-ups and team activities.

He has kept busy with a number of basketball clinics and school visits both in the Hills and across Sydney, as well as trips to Sydney Children’s Hospital with the Starlight Foundation.

Most recently, he took part in the Kings’ Super Clinic with more than 300 young players including some from Khazzouh’s former club, the Hills Hornets.

“Now that I’m not playing this season, that decision has been made, it has definitely made the community engagement side of it more my focus,” he said.

“It allows me to clear my head and I get to go back to the juniors and teach them a bit of what I know.”

Khazzouh said he enjoyed working with junior basketball players, such as Oakhill’s Daniel Paine, Alec Ryan and Tom Manieri.

Khazzouh said working with juniors had helped him refocus after the disappointment of being sidelined with injury.

“I see these young kids coming through and I see myself 10-15 years ago,” he said.

“… It kinda puts everything in perspective, because you kind of get down a bit,” he said.

Khazzouh will be ready to meet and greet fans at the Kings next home game against the New Zealand Breakers on January 29, followed by the match against Melbourne on February 4.

Tickets: sydneykings.com