NBL grand final 2022: Sydney Kings v Tasmania JackJumpers player ratings

The Sydney Kings are the NBL championship after sweeping the JackJumpers - Matt Logue rates all the players from the series.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 11: Jaylen Adams of the Kings lift the trophy as the Kings celebrate victory during game three of the NBL Grand Final series between Sydney Kings and Tasmania Jackjumpers at Qudos Bank Arena on May 11, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The Sydney Kings are NBL champions again and star swingman Xavier Cooks has the NBA in his sights after producing a career-best season.

Cooks was a clear choice as the league’s grand final series MVP – and based off our player ratings it’s a double win for the boy from Ballarat.

The Kings’ Dennis Rodman finished with a personal tally of 25 points from his three games, just one point ahead of dependable big man Jarell Martin on 24.

Tasmania star guard Josh Adams was the highest ranked JackJumper on 21 points.

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SYDNEY KINGS

STARTING FIVE:

Ian Clark G1:8 G2:6 G3:8 TOTAL: 22

Showcased his championship experience when it mattered for the Kings in the fourth quarter with three triples and other big buckets down the stretch. Clark has been magnificent for a man who previously hadn’t played for 12 months due to injury.

Former Golden State Warrior Ian Clark has been huge for the Sydney Kings. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images.

Dejan Vasiljevic: G1:7 G2:8 G3:6 TOTAL: 21

A quiet performance compared to his first two games, but the man nicknamed ‘DJ’ still had an impact. Vasiljevic has enjoyed his best NBL season, and he’ll only get better with this championship-winning experience under his belt.

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk: G1:6 G2:5 G3:5 TOTAL: 16

Wasn’t a major threat on the offensive end with just four points, but his defence was rock solid and contributed to the Kings finding their feet in the fourth to close out the win.

Xavier Cooks: G1:8 G2:8 G3:9 TOTAL: 25

What more can we say – this bloke is legit baller. Cooks capped off a magnificent grand final series with another epic performance in Game 3. The boy from Ballart deservedly won the grand final series MVP and he is destined to be in the NBA.

Kings big man Jarell Martin had a massive season. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.

Jarell Martin: G1:6 G2:8 G3:8 TOTAL 24

Kings fans love this unassuming big man and it’s easy to see why. Martin may be quiet in interviews, but he lets his game do all the talking. The former NBA centre stepped up again in Game 3 with another stat sheet stuffing display.

BENCH:

Makur Maker: G1:6 G2:6 G3:6 TOTAL: 18

The first NBL Next Star to win a championship. Maker stepped up big time in Game 3 with 10 points and four rebounds.

BIG shout out to @MakurMaker, who becomes the first-ever Next Star to win an NBL chip ✨🏆✨

10 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks in today's #NBL22 championship-deciding game 🙌 pic.twitter.com/aSx5iMrWTK

— The NBL (@NBL) May 11, 2022

Angus Glover: G1:5 G2:4 G3:4 TOTAL: 13

Didn’t score but played his role off the bench with two assists and two rebounds.

Shaun Bruce: G1:4 G2:7 G3: 7 TOTAL: 18

Bruce had seven assists in Game 2, and he went one better with eight in Game 3. He only scored three points, but found a way to get involved in the game through his pinpoint passing.

Thomas Vodanovich: G1:3 G2:5 G3:6 TOTAL: 14

One of the NBL’s most underrated players. Big Tommy doesn’t receive many wraps coming off the bench, but he always contributes.

Vodanovich had five points and three rebounds in Game 3.

TOTAL: 61

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS

STARTING FIVE:

Mikyle Mcintosh: G1:6 G2:5 G3:7 TOTAL: 18

Started the game and impressed with an aggressive approach at both ends of the floor.

Mcintosh finished with 14 points and added eight rebounds.

Josh Magette: G1:5 G2:6 G3:7 TOTAL: 18

Magette stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, but failed to execute down the stretch in the fourth.

Josh Magette was a standout for the JackJumpers. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images.

Clint Steindl: G1:7 G2:4 G3: 5 TOTAL: 16

Did his best starting, including knocking down two threes, but the JackJumpers needed more points than the six he produced.

Jarred Bairstow: G1: 3 G3: 4 TOTAL: 7

Only had two points and didn’t contribute as much as he needed to, especially starting the game.

Josh Adams: G1:6 G2:8 G3:7 TOTAL: 21

Another impressive performance from Adams, but like Magette, he went missing in the fourth when the game was there to be won. He finished with a game-high 27 points, including four triples.

Josh Adams proved he is one of the NBL’s best players. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images

BENCH:

Matt Kenyon: G1:2 G2:5 G3: 4 TOTAL: 11

Always tries hard on defence, which is his trademark, but struggles to contribute to other parts of the game.

Sam McDaniel: G1:6 G2:4 G3:6 TOTAL: 16

Sparked Tassie with eight points off the bench in an impressive effort

H🔥T START F🔥R J🔥SH.#NBL22 Grand Final Game 3 LIVE & FREE on ESPN via Kayo Freebies 👀 https://t.co/D76sbGOMIipic.twitter.com/Inn11KrNXH

— The NBL (@NBL) May 11, 2022

Jarrad Weeks: G1:3 G2:6 G3:6 TOTAL: 15

The Sydney boy did his best to spoil the Kings’ party with 11 points off the bench, but it wasn’t enough.

Sejr Deans: G3: 1

Only received 26 seconds of court time, so hard to rate. A 1 for being involved.

Sean Macdonald: G3: 1

Only received 56 seconds of court time, so hard to rate. A 1 for being involved.

Jock Perry: G3: 6

Excelled in his only game for the grand final series. Perry dropped eight points, including two threes.

BOTH RULED OUT OF GAME 3 DUE TO ILLNESS:

Jack McVeigh: G1:7 G2:6 TOTAL: 13

Fabijan Krslovic: G1:5 G2:5 TOTAL: 10

TOTAL: 54

Originally published as NBL grand final 2022: Sydney Kings v Tasmania JackJumpers player ratings