Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks suspended for doping on eve of the NBL finals
The Sydney Kings’ title hopes have been shattered on the eve of the NBL finals, with star centre Xavier Cooks provisionally banned over an anti-doping violation.
World Cup Boomer and former NBL MVP Xavier Cooks has been provisionally suspended over a potential anti-doping violation, throwing Sydney’s finals campaign into disarray, two days before he was to lead the Kings’ in a sudden-death clash against Adelaide.
Cooks, who missed Friday night’s season-ending clash with Illawarra, returned an Adverse Analytical Finding to a banned substance and has been provisionally banned over a potential violation to the Australian National Anti-Doping policy.
The Kings put the 29-year-old’s absence down to ‘personal leave’ but Basketball Australia confirmed on Tuesday Cooks was now subject to the ANADP process.
“A mandatory provisional suspension (effective immediately) has been imposed on Sydney Kings player Xavier Cooks following notification to him by Sport Integrity Australia of an Adverse Analytical Finding and a potential violation of the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy,” a BA statement read.
“The matter is now progressing in accordance with the ANADP. No further comment will be made by the athlete, NBL, Sydney or BA and we request the privacy of all parties involved be respected.”
The Sydney Kings released a statement which confirmed Cooks had been stood down.
“Xavier Cooks has been provisionally suspended due to an Adverse Analytical Finding and a potential violation of the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy,” the Kings said in a statement.
“No further comments will be made at this time, and we request the privacy of all parties involved be respected.”
Asked following the Kings’ 20-point loss to the Hawks last Friday about Cooks’ absence, Goorjian said he was notified just two hours before the game.
At the time, Goorjian said he had “no idea” if Cooks would be available for Thursday night’s home eliminator against the 36ers.
“Just respecting his privacy, right now,” he said at the time.
While he could not comment on the situation, Sydney’s newly-crowned Sixth Man of the Year winner Kouat Noi acknowledged Cooks’ absence was a big blow to the Kings’ title hopes.
“Xavier is a big part of our group, It’s a huge loss for us,” Noi told Code Sports.
“Like everyone says, we’ve got such a talented, stacked team and we can go out and perform — when one goes down, another steps up.
“Our full focus is Adelaide, we’ve got nothing to lose, we have to go out there and win this game.”
Neither the NBL, nor the club, are able to comment on Cooks’ case under Sport Integrity Australia protocols.
Regardless of outcome, cases under the anti-doping framework can typically take a lengthy period of time to resolve.
Born in Ballarat and raised in Wollongong, the son of former Hawks’ import Eric, Cooks is one of Australian basketball’s great stories.
A late-bloomer who began his basketball grounding locally in Illawarra and then at the Australian Institute of Sport, Cooks spent his first professional season in Germany before making a home in Sydney, leading the Kings to NBL titles in 2022, when he was grand final MVP, and 2023, when he won the league’s top award.
His performances that season led to a rise to the NBA and the national team, with a stint in Washington and a Boomers jersey at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
More success followed with a stint in Japan, where he led Chiba Jets to the East Asia Super League title.
This season, Cooks returned home to Sydney, signing a three-year deal understood to be worth over $1 million per season — the biggest contract in NBL history.
One of the few consistent performers in a rollercoaster season for the fifth-placed Kings, the 203cm forward averaged 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1 steal and was named to the All-NBL Second Team.
The Kings, on Thursday night, host Adelaide at Qudos Bank Arena in a win-or-go-home one-game play-in.
More Coverage
Wildcats superstar one step closer to Gaze after another MVP gong
Perth Wildcats guard Bryce Cotton has been named the NBL’s Most Valuable Player for a second straight season. All the awards from Australian basketball’s night of nights inside.
’In poor taste’: Phoenix owner apologises ahead of play-in clash
South East Melbourne owner Romie Chaudhari has been in the midst of the drama this season, and on the eve of the Phoenix’s play-in clash with Perth Wildcats, has issued an apology.