Sydney Kings ahead Kouat Noi insists Xavier Cooks’ impending transfer to the NBA won’t distract the defending champions from the NBL championship collection.
The league’s newly minted MVP, 27-year-old Cooks is becoming a member of the Washington Wizards on the conclusion of the best-of-five collection on a maiden NBA contract that expires on the finish of subsequent season.
The transfer comes after months of hypothesis the artful 203cm ahead could possibly be the following Australian to comply with gamers together with Josh Giddey, Jack White and Jock Landale from the NBL to the NBA.
Curiosity in Cooks’ future has solely intensified because the Kings introduced his transfer on Monday, and given the Wizards are but to verify his signing publicly it’s prone to stay on the agenda because the NBL season reaches its climax.
However with the championship collection in opposition to the New Zealand Breakers hanging within the stability at 1-1, Cooks is downplaying his NBA contract lest it distract the Kings.
“We have got two extra wins to go and we have come this far,” Cooks mentioned.
“There is not any level desirous about what comes subsequent after we’ve fought so onerous to be right here.”
Forward of the third sport of the collection – to be performed in Sydney on Friday – Cooks’ technique appeared to have rubbed off on his teammates.
“The championship is the one factor on our thoughts,” Noi mentioned.
“We’re all very pleased with Xavier for attaining his childhood dream however our important purpose is to win the championship. I do know he is aware of that too.”
Noi joined the Kings from the Cairns Taipans this season and has change into one among coach Chase Buford’s favorite bench gamers.
When Cooks and fellow All-NBL First Staff member Derrick Walton Jr left Sunday’s sport with leg accidents, Noi stepped up with 20 factors from the bench – his highest tally for the season.
The Texas Christian College product mentioned Cooks’ new contract had helped mild a path to the NBA from Australia.
“The NBL is the perfect league, I consider, exterior of the NBA,” Noi mentioned.
“Each time there’s an opportunity for a man within the NBL to make it to the massive leagues, it provides me confidence.
“I try for the NBA dream too, so within the upcoming years hopefully I will be the following one to go.”
Walton was capable of run unencumbered by his sore quadricep at coaching on Wednesday and Cooks confirmed his personal injured leg can be effective for the third sport of the collection.
“It feels good,” Cooks mentioned. “We did not have a full aggressive coaching (session) simply to take care of our our bodies, however I did what I may.”
