NBL MVP Xavier Cooks signs NBA deal with Washington Wizards

Australia has another player in the NBA after NBL MVP and Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks signed a deal to go to America.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 19: Xavier Cooks of the Kings looks on during game three of the NBL Semi Final series between Sydney Kings and Cairns Taipans at Qudos Bank Arena on February 19, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

There will be a 11th Australian playing in the NBA very soon after Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks signed a deal with the Washington Wizards.

Cooks will join the Wizards for the remainder of the current NBA season, as well as the 2023-2024 NBA season, on a contract buyout.

Watch the NBL23 Championship Series between Sydney Kings v New Zealand Breakers LIVE and FREE on ESPN on Kayo Freebies. Series begins March 3. Join now and start streaming instantly >

The 27-year-old was named the NBL MVP this season and is currently contesting the NBL Grand Final series, which is tied 1-1 between the Kings and the New Zealand Breakers.

Cooks is nursing an ankle injury and only played a handful of minutes in the Sydney’s Game 2 win on Sunday, as Justin Simon helped an undermanned Kings outfit level the five-game series.

Cooks has long been touted as a future NBA prospect.

The 203cm power forward has been with the Kings since 2019 and played a key role in their NBL championship last year and has turned heads this season with his versatility and powerful poster dunks.

Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks is headed to the NBA. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

The Kings need to win two more games to claim back-to-back titles and send Cooks to the NBA on a winning note.

“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,” Sydney Kings CEO Chris Pongrass said.

“It is difficult to properly articulate the impact X has had on this Club. His talent, leadership and innate desire to win completely shifted our trajectory these past four seasons.

“It is obvious that he is an NBA talent and belongs among the best players in the world.

“We thank X for his contribution to our Club – he will forever be a King.”

Cooks becomes the fifth player in five years to make the leap from Kings to the NBA, along with Brian Bowen, Andrew Bogut, Jae’Sean Tate and Didi Louzada.

He joins Josh Giddey, Patty Mills, Ben Simmons, Joe Ingles, Jack White, Matthew Dellavedova, Dyson Daniels, Josh Green, Jock Landale and Matisse Thybulle as Australians currently playing in the NBA.

With a quarter of the NBA season remaining, the Wizards sit 10th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 30-33 win-loss record.

Cooks is chasing a second straight NBL title. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Cooks’ slam dunks are a thing of beauty. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Last year, Cooks told news.com.au he was hoping to join an NBA team after this NBL season but winning a second championship with the Kings was his No. 1 priority.

“To be honest with you, if I don’t make it after this season it’s going to be pretty tough to do it,”

“I’m not a spring chicken anymore. I’m about to be 28 years old next year. My window’s now. If it doesn’t happen after this year, it doesn’t happen.

“But I think my path to the NBA is winning another championship here and showing my value to a team.”

Game three of the NBL Grand Final series tips off in Sydney on Friday night.