NBL22: Sydney Kings reveal prized signing with NBA warrior Ian Clark joining franchise

A highly decorated NBA veteran with 330 games and a famous championship next to his name has been added the Sydney Kings’ roster to bring in some serious playmaking grunt.

Ryan Broekhoff dined on glass on Monday night, ripping down 16 rebounds against the Hawks. Picture: Getty Images

The Sydney Kings have signed NBA veteran Ian Clark — a guard who won a championship alongside Steph Curry at the Golden State Warriors — as the franchise’s third import.

The 191cm versatile guard will come straight into the line-up for Sunday’s clash against the Brisbane Bullets at Qudos Bank Arena and takes his place in the roster as an injury replacement for big man Jordan Hunter.

Clark played 330 games in his NBA career, which was highlighted by playing a vital role off the bench for arguably one of the greatest teams of all-time, the 2017 NBA champions the Golden State Warriors, backing up one of the greatest shooters in the game in Curry.

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Ian Clark played a vital role off the bench for the 2017 NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors.

Clark last played for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association.

The Memphis native had a decorated college career leading Belmont University to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances (2011, 2012, 2013) and was last year honoured as a member of the school’s Hall of Fame.

He went on to play with four clubs during his NBA career, the Utah Jazz, the Denver Nuggets, the Warriors, and the New Orleans Pelicans.

He was part of the Warriors outfit which on April 13, 2016, broke the single season record with 73 wins, eclipsing the 72 wins set by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls.

The following season Clark and the Warriors would record a 4-1 series win over the Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals.

Clark played alongside Steph Curry at the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors finished the playoffs with a 16–1 record, the best postseason winning percentage in NBA history.

Kings CEO Chris Pongrass said Clark’s signing came after an extensive and considered search.

“We are thrilled to have Ian joining our organisation,” Pongrass said.

“Recruiting in an unprecedented and quite uncertain free agent market, we made sure we took a very measured approach to find the right player that will help this team win. Ian fits exactly what we were after.

“We were intent on bringing in another shooter and playmaker who can create for himself and others.

“The benefit of adding an experienced NBA veteran and championship mindset to our locker room cannot be overlooked.”

Boomer Broekhoff?: Phoenix gun impresses Goorj

The three-point shot that has been Ryan Broekhoff’s calling card throughout his career hasn’t been falling, but South East Melbourne’s former NBA man’s ability to impact the game in other ways has him back on the national radar.

Broekhoff has made just 11 of his 51 attempts from deep this season — an ugly 21 per cent — but, at age 31, has added a number of strings to his bow that has allowed him to have a big impact on games and catch the eye of Boomers coach Brian Goorjian.

Ryan Broekhoff dined on glass on Monday night, ripping down 16 rebounds against the Hawks. Picture: Getty Images

The Illawarra Hawks coach got a first-hand look at Rowdy’s improved skillset, the 201cm swingman tearing down 16 rebounds, adding 11 points and proving a menacing presence on the defensive end.

Broekhoff only made one of his seven three-point attempts, but Goorjian said it is his shooting threat that opens up the floor for his offensively gifted Phoenix teammates, comparing his influence to that of Melbourne United superstar Chris Goulding.

“I like the direction he’s going. Let’s say, from a national standpoint, I like what he’s doing,” Goorjian said after his Hawks side was pipped by the Phoenix by one point on Monday night.

“What he does by being on the floor, he creates a lot more space for (Mitch) Creek and he creates a lot more space on that middle pick n’ roll. You can’t tag those roll guys because he’s there.

Broekhoff has international experience guarding the best players in the world — like Kevin Durant. Picture: AAP

“If you want to make an example of him, the focus, at halftime, was him. He had a ton of rebounds and influenced the game. (He was) strong with the ball, got his feet in the paint and the shots he took — it’s like a Goulding or (Hawks shooter Justinian) Jessup — they’re under pressure.

“Last year, I though it was just he shoots the ball, if it doesn’t go in, he’s not really that effective.

“He’s become more rounded. You’ve seen him over the course of the year, he’s an effective guy defensively and offensively, (even if) he’s not shooting the ball well.”

The mere threat of Broekhoff’s shooting ability opens up the floor for South East Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

When Sydney visits Thursday, the Phoenix will still be without coach Simon Mitchell, captain Kyle Adnam and Cam Gliddon, who have each missed the past two games in the NBL’s Covid protocols. They are set to get reinforcements, though, with big man Dane Pineau and Reuben Te Rangi slated to return.

Stand-in coach Judd Flavell, fresh off his first NBL win, said stopping the Kings, who have won three of their past four games, would not be easy.

“They’re rolling as well, can put a lot of points on, so defensively, for us, that’s where it all starts,” Flavell said.

“If we’re able to get stops and take care of our business at that end of the floor, we have a good flow and good rhythm going down the other way.”