Sydney Kings sign Jordan Vandenberg to replace injured big-man Julian Khazzouh

THE Sydney Kings have signed Victorian centre Jordan Vandenberg to replace injured big man Julian Khazzouh for the remainder of their NBL season.

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 18: Jordan Vandenberg #14 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack dunks over Erik Stenger #35 of the Xavier Musketeers in the second half during the first round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at at University of Dayton Arena on March 18, 2014 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

THE Sydney Kings have signed 216cm-Victorian centre Jordan Vandenberg to replace injured big man Julian Khazzouh for the remainder of their NBL season.

The 25-year-old was previously signed by the New York Knicks and assigned to their NBA D-League affiliate the Westchester Knicks following five seasons with North Carolina State University.

“He is an exciting prospect that we, as a coaching staff, feel is going to help us in the short term and could potentially turn out as a player for us in the long term,” Kings interim coach Joe Connelly said.

“He obviously has some great experience playing at a high level both in the NCAA and the D-League, but the biggest upside about Jordan is that he is 7’1 with a great feel for the game and he’s still only young.”

Jordan Vandenberg of the North Carolina State Wolfpack dunks over Erik Stenger of the Xavier Musketeers.

Kings assistant coach Ben Knight was playing to cover the absence of Khazzouh, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last month, prior to Vandenberg’s signing.

The last-placed Kings’ season has been blighted by injury with former NBA star Josh Childress missing 15 games across three separate stints.

Meanwhile, Sydney-born guard Indiana Faithfull has been signed as a replacement for Steve Markovic who had surgery to remove his tonsils in December.

The club believed Markovic would struggle to return to full fitness following his time on the sidelines, opting to give the 24-year-old a chance at NBL level.

Vandenberg and Faithfull are expected to suit up for the Kings when they meet the Illawarra Hawks in Sydney on Saturday.

Originally published as Sydney Kings sign Jordan Vandenberg to replace injured big-man Julian Khazzouh