Manifesting and faith: An insight to Kouat Noi’s impressive year, and the plan to fill the Xavier Cooks gap

The NBL’s Sixth Man Kouat Noi has opened up on his breakout season, with manifesting and his faith at the core. Plus, he reveals how the Kings plan to fill a Xavier Cooks hole for the finals.

Sydney Kings breakout star Kouat Noi has credited a combination of personal manifestation and a strengthened relationship to his faith for his impressive growth this season.

Named the league’s Sixth Man of the Year for the first time at the NBL’s Awards on Monday night, the South Sudanese Noi, 27, has embraced the unique opportunity found at the Kings averaging 14.8 points per game - setting an off the bench scoring record for the franchise and becoming a reliable asset.

With the shock news of Xavier Cooks facing a doping ban, Noi will take upon even greater responsibility for the Kings in their do-or-die clash with Adelaide on Thursday night in Sydney.

With career best numbers, an NBL award and the right mindset he is confident in the road ahead - just as he was when he set out ahead of his breakout season six months ago.

Kouat Noi credits manifesting and his faith for his impressive season. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“I manifested it to myself, manifested Sixth Man and most improved to myself,” Noi told Code Sports after his NBL Sixth Man win.

“Just go out there and perform, put up numbers, help the team win and whatever happens, happens.

“And thankfully, I got the Sixth Man, I got to be in the conversation of being the most improved, it just goes to everything I put my mind to.

“I am very proud.”

Not only projecting a positive mental slate and taking care of his body better than he has before, it’s Noi’s relationship with his faith that he says has also helped him on his path this season.

“I got to give the glory to God, having built on the connection with Him this year,” Noi revealed.

Kouat Noi was named the NBL25 Sixth Man. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

“I feel like I’ve built a relationship even more, and have been closer with him more than I ever have.

“Having faith that he is going to take care of everything has helped me a lot.”

A season different from the rest, the star forward was free of injury and free of contract talks, with security in his Kings playing future allowing him a clear state of mind for the game.

“The Kings felt like family, felt like home and after signing the three-year deal, all I have had to focus on is basketball and that’s something I didn’t have over the past couple of seasons,” Noi said.

KOUAT'S CAREER YEAR 🤫

All thanks to @Pringles, let’s highlight why the 2024-25 season has been one to remember for King #237 @KouatN.#TakeTheThronepic.twitter.com/sW0DvfIuYD

— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) February 12, 2025

“I think that’s why I’ve been able to play so well.

“Thinking about my next year contract, having injuries, I wasn’t taking care of myself the best.

“This year I’ve made an emphasis of making sure I did the right things all around, and that’s what I did and now it’s transitioning to the court.”

Despite concerns around players not gelling together on court and holes in the game plan earlier in the season, the Kings have still been able to string together 16 wins and a spot in the NBL finals series.

Rising star Alex Toohey was celebrated with the NBL’s Next Generation award and Cooks was named in the All-NBL Second Team of the Year.

“Alex Toohey is an NBA level talent, to see him recognised for all the work he does was something special and I know he was proud of it as well,” Noi said.

With a Cooks shaped hole left in Sydney’s roster for Thursday night’s sudden death clash with the Adelaide 36ers, the Sixth Man says it’s a next man up mentality at the Kings.

And that it’s time to call upon the “talented, stacked team” to fill the “huge loss” left by the co-captain.

The Kings will host the 36ers on Thursday night at Qudos Bank Arena at 7:30pm, with the winner progressing to the play-in game against South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday.

Originally published as Manifesting and faith: An insight to Kouat Noi’s impressive year, and the plan to fill the Xavier Cooks gap