NBL 2024: Sydney Kings lock in legendary coach Brian Goorjian

The Sydney Kings have got their man - with legendary coach Brian Goorjian returning to the team he turned into a powerhouse.

The Sydney Kings have got their man - locking in its most successful mentor Brian Goorjian to become franchise’s next coach.

Code Sports understands Goorjian has agreed to a multi-year deal to return to the Harbour City, where he previously led the club to three straight NBL championships between 2003-2005.

Over the weekend, Code Sports revealed the legendary mentor was in talks with the Kings and both sides shared mutual interest in working together.

“Listening to their thoughts, we’re on the same page moving forward, it’s attractive,” Goorjian said.

Brian Goorjian has signed on to become the new Sydney Kings coach. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

“It’s a great club they’ve gone on and won two more (titles since the three-peat), the professionalism off the court, it’s just a great basketball club.

“It has a great chance to win, team wants to move forward from where they are right now and there’s a vacancy.

“I said from the start of this thing I wanted to go into a place where I feel like my skill package is needed and useful and I want to win so, for me, it ticks a lot of boxes.”

The Kings, on Friday, axed Mahmoud Abdelfattah with a year to run on his contract and Code Sports can reveal Australian basketball legend Luc Longley, a part-owner of the club, reached out to Goorjian. The 70-year-old has also had positive communication with the Kings gun chief executive Chris Pongrass.

Brian Goorjian (R) steered the Kings to three championships in the early 2000s.

Sydney has moved swiftly, keen to avoid a similar situation to last season, where a decision on two-time championship coach Chase Buford’s departure came late in pre-season, one of many barriers in Abdelfattah’s struggles.

Goorjian is the Kings’ top target and a return would be massive for the Harbour City, with a chorus of fans united in calls for the club to bring back its greatest coach.

“I absolutely loved it in Sydney,” Goorjian said.

“My recollections of the whole thing was great, we won three championships there and it’s in a position right now where it’s not where it wants to be and I feel like I can help it move forward.”

It’s understood Goorj’s trusted right-hand man and another former Kings coach Bill Tomlinson could also be involved in a return to the club, while another Goorj disciple in former Illawarra Hawks coach Jacob Jackomas has been floated as a replacement for Fleur McIntyre, who has landed a role as assistant general manager with WNBA club Phoenix.

Originally published as NBL 2024: Sydney Kings lock in legendary coach Brian Goorjian