Sydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks addresses positive drug test and one-month ban

Sydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks has broken his silence on the drug ban that wiped him out of the NBL playoffs - and put his basketball future in jeopardy.

A remorseful Sydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks has addressed his positive test to cocaine, confirming he served a one-month ban but the two-time champion is set to avoid further punishment from the Kings and the NBL.

Cooks, on Monday, took to his personal Instagram account to apologise for “one of the biggest mistakes in my life”.

The former NBL MVP received a one-month period of ineligibility from Sport Integrity Australia after returning an adverse analytical finding from an in-competition anti-doping test in January.

The finding was confirmed to have occurred out of competition and deemed to be unrelated to sport performance.

Xavier Cooks has opened up on the drug saga that wiped him out of the NBL playoffs. Picture: Getty

As revealed by Code Sports, the one-month ban commenced on February 7, 2025 and concluded on March 7, 2025.A deeply apologetic Cooks has vowed to learn from his error in judgement.

A deeply apologetic Cooks has vowed to learn from his error in judgement, which forced the Kings to contest February’s season-ending play-in loss to Adelaide without their marquee man.

“I respect the decision that was handed down and have spent the past few months reflecting on my actions and the impact it has had,” Cooks said.

“I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life. It was a lapse in judgment that has affected a lot of people I care deeply about.

“I apologise to my family, my Sydney Kings teammates, the club, sponsors, fans and everyone who has ever supported me.

“I’m so sorry that I let you all down.“I am committed to becoming a positive role model in our community, and I hope I can regain your trust.”

Cooks described the saga as the 'biggest mistake of my life'. Picture: Getty

Hoops Capital – the owners of the Kings – also released a statement confirming the positive test for Cooks.

The club confirmed it plans to work closely with the side’s skipper on his mental health moving forward, but Code Sports understands the franchise won’t hand down any fines or bans to their star forward.

“Hoops Capital has now completed its internal review into the matter and will be working closely with Cooks on a comprehensive wellbeing plan which will support him both on and off the court and assist in his commitment to rebuilding his reputation with our members, fans, sponsors, and community,” the statement said.

“We will continue to support Xavier throughout this time and will not be making any further comments.”

Cooks, under contract in Sydney for another two seasons, is expected to return to the Kings for NBL26.

EARLIER: KINGS STAR COPS ONE-MONTH BAN

By Matt Logue

Sydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks received a one-month ban after testing positive for cocaine use but faces further potential punishment from the harbour city club.

Sources confirmed to Code Sports that Cooks has served the majority of his four-week ban for using illicit drugs outside of competition while being provisionally suspended since early February.

The 2019 NBL MVP was stood down for a potential anti-doping violation after returning an adverse analytical finding to a banned substance – just two days before he was to lead the Kings’ in a sudden-death clash against Adelaide.

It’s understood Sydney officials have expressed a desire to retain Cooks – who still has two seasons left on his contract as the NBL’s highest paid player on over $1 million a season.

Xavier Cooks could face further ramifications. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

However, the star forward – who played 10 NBA games for the Washington Wizards in 2023 – could cop an additional punishment from the Kings.

Cooks’ situation comes as the World Anti-Doping agency is currently reviewing its rules around illicit drugs, such as cocaine, where athletes will receive a mandatory stand down of one to two months.

There is also scope for the suspension process to be amended to announce findings sooner to avoid incorrect speculation.

The Kings had put Cooks’ absence from the club’s final-round clash against Illawarra down to ‘personal leave’ but Basketball Australia later confirmed the 29-year-old was subject to the national anti-doping authority 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 Kings also 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.”

Neither the NBL, nor the club, are able to comment on Cooks’ case under Sport Integrity Australia protocols.

Cooks was 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 provided Code Sports with the following statement when contacted on Thursday.

“The club has no comment on the matter at this point in time,” a club spokesperson said.

Originally published as Sydney Kings captain Xavier Cooks addresses positive drug test and one-month ban