Wizards Sign Australian League MVP

Hey, an MVP is an MVP. Even if it is in the Australian National Basketball League. The Washington Wizards are clearly impressed enough to have agreed on a Multi-Year contract with Xavier Cooks of the Sydney Kings. The deal will run through the 2023-24 season.

Dear Washington Wizards Fans,

This is the sort of athlete you’re getting in Xavier Cooks. pic.twitter.com/jQ3InAUlU4

— NBABeau (@NBABeau) March 6, 2023

The NBL Finals finish up this week, and Cook will complete a contract buyout with his Aussie squad and join the Wizards immediately afterwards. 

Cooks is a 6'8" power forward with elite defensive skills, and a very effective passer. As noted BY ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the 27-year-old Australian went undrafted after an outstanding college career. He is considered one of the NBL's outstanding development stories. 

Last year, his 4th in the league, he was the Finals MVP, and this season he took home the league's overall MVP. He averaged 15.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.1 blocked shots and 57% FG shooting.

 Cooks has also been named to one All-NBL First Team and one All-NBL Second Team. He went to college at Winthrop in the States before beginning his career overseas in Germany for a year, and then transferring to the Australian League. 

Photo: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports