What Happened to Sydney Kings?
The Sydney Kings are an Australian professional basketball team competing in the National Basketball League (NBL). After a period of struggles and even a temporary hiatus, the Kings have re-established themselves as a dominant force, securing multiple championships in recent years, including their sixth NBL title in 2026.
Quick Answer
The Sydney Kings are currently the reigning champions of the National Basketball League (NBL), having won their sixth NBL Championship on April 5, 2026, in a thrilling overtime victory against the Adelaide 36ers. This marks their third championship in five years, solidifying their 'second championship era' under coach Brian Goorjian and led by players like Kendric Davis, who was named the 2026 Championship Series MVP. On the same day as their championship win, a significant ownership change was announced, with Wollemi Capital Group assuming majority ownership of Hoops Capital, the entity that owns the Kings.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Formation of Sydney Kings
The Sydney Kings were formed through a merger between the West Sydney Westars and the Sydney SuperSonics.
First NBL Championship
The Kings won their first NBL championship, beginning a historic three-peat.
Achieve NBL Three-Peat
The Sydney Kings became the first team in NBL history to win three consecutive championships (2003, 2004, 2005).
Club Demise and Relaunch
The club ceased operations in 2008 due to financial difficulties but was relaunched in 2010.
Andrew Bogut Joins as Player
NBA superstar Andrew Bogut signed with the Kings, significantly raising the team's profile and leading to a minor premiership in 2020.
Fourth NBL Championship
The Kings won their fourth NBL title, defeating the Tasmania JackJumpers in the Grand Final series, marking the beginning of their 'second championship era'.
Fifth NBL Championship
Sydney Kings secured their fifth NBL championship by defeating the New Zealand Breakers 3-2 in the Grand Final series. Xavier Cooks was named MVP.
Coach Chase Buford Departs
Head coach Chase Buford parted ways with the Kings after leading them to back-to-back championships.
Mahmoud Abdelfattah Hired as Head Coach
The Kings hired Mahmoud Abdelfattah on a two-year deal as their new head coach for the 2023-24 season.
End of 2023-24 Season
The Kings finished the 2023-24 NBL season 5th on the ladder with a 13-15 record, losing in the play-in finals.
End of 2024-25 Season
The Kings finished the 2024-25 NBL season 5th on the ladder with a 16-13 record, losing in the play-in finals.
Kings Crowned 2025-26 Regular Season Champions
The Sydney Kings secured the Hungry Jack's NBL 2025-26 regular season championship with a dominant 117-77 win over the Brisbane Bullets, finishing with a 24-9 record.
Sixth NBL Championship Win
The Sydney Kings won their sixth NBL Championship, defeating the Adelaide 36ers 113-101 in overtime in Game 5 of the Championship Series. Kendric Davis was named MVP.
Ownership Change Announced
Hoops Capital, owner of the Kings, announced that Wollemi Capital Group assumed majority ownership from the TSE Group.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Sydney Kings, formed in October 1987 from a merger of the West Sydney Westars and Sydney SuperSonics, have a storied history in the National Basketball League (NBL). They achieved their first 'championship era' by winning three consecutive NBL titles in 2003, 2004, and 2005, a first for the league. However, the club faced significant challenges, including a period of demise from 2008 to 2010 before being relaunched.
The Kings entered a 'second championship era' in the 2020s, demonstrating a remarkable resurgence. In the 2021-22 season, they secured their fourth NBL championship, defeating the Tasmania JackJumpers. This was followed by another triumph in the 2022-23 season, where they clinched their fifth title by overcoming the New Zealand Breakers in a five-game series, with Xavier Cooks earning the Grand Final MVP. The 2023-24 season saw a change in coaching, with Chase Buford departing and Mahmoud Abdelfattah taking over, but the team finished 5th and lost in the play-in finals. The 2024-25 season, under coach Brian Goorjian, saw them finish 5th again, losing in the play-in finals.
The 2025-26 season marked a return to dominance for the Kings. They finished as the regular season champions with a 24-9 record, defying a rocky start to the season. Led by star guard Kendric Davis, who had an outstanding season, the Kings advanced to the NBL Championship Series. On April 5, 2026, the Sydney Kings secured their sixth NBL Championship, defeating the Adelaide 36ers 3-2 in a dramatic five-game series, with the decisive game going into overtime. Kendric Davis was named the Championship Series MVP for his stellar performance, including 35 points and 14 assists in the final game. This victory was achieved in front of an NBL record crowd of 18,589 fans at Qudos Bank Arena.
Coinciding with their championship win on April 5, 2026, Hoops Capital Pty Ltd, the multi-faceted basketball enterprise owning the Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames, announced a significant change in its ownership structure. Wollemi Capital Group (WCG), which invested two years prior, assumed the majority ownership share from the TSE Group. Andrew Bogut and Luc Longley are set to maintain their shareholding and leadership roles within the organization. The Kings continue to play their home games at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Sydney Kings made different choices?