Sydney Kings set to announce veteran NBA shooting guard as the club’s final import for NBL24
The Sydney Kings are set to announce veteran NBA shooting guard and acclaimed award-winner Denzel Valentine as the club’s final import for NBL24.
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The Sydney Kings have secured veteran NBA shooting guard and acclaimed award-winner Denzel Valentine as the club’s final import for NBL24.
Valentine has played 260 NBA games for Chicago, Cleveland and Utah since being selected by the Bulls as the 14th pick in the 2016 draft.
He excelled on the college stage, becoming the first player in Michigan State history to be acknowledged by the Associated Press as the National Player of the Year.
He also received other player of the year awards from the NABC, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports, and Basketball Times as well as being named a unanimous First-Team All-American.
Valentine most recently played in the NBA G League with the Maine Celtics – the feeder club for the Boston Celtics.
The 29-year-old American has signed a one-year deal and will help the Kings form the NBL’s most potent backcourt on paper alongside join former league MVP Jaylen Adams.
Valentine has a close relationship with Golden State Warriors star and fellow Michigan State graduate Draymond Green.
He likens Green as his “big brother”.
Valentine is somewhat maligned in America for failing to live up to his college potential during his time in the NBA between 2016 and 2022.
He has also battled with injuries, but he is a proven performer on the big stage when fit.
Valentine was a member of Team USA’s 2015 Pan American Games team that won a bronze medal.
He later joined the USA Basketball Select Team to train against a 2016 Rio Olympic team featuring Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving.
Valentine is also a rapper who released his first album in 2021.
Originally published as Sydney Kings set to announce veteran NBA shooting guard as the club’s final import for NBL24
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