{"id":285380,"date":"2022-07-18T19:50:44","date_gmt":"2022-07-18T17:50:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/?p=285380"},"modified":"2022-07-18T19:50:44","modified_gmt":"2022-07-18T17:50:44","slug":"sydney-kings-sign-justin-simon-for-nbl23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportando.basketball\/en\/sydney-kings-sign-justin-simon-for-nbl23\/","title":{"rendered":"Sydney Kings sign Justin Simon for NBL23"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the NBL\u2019s best defenders is back and this time he\u2019s a Sydney King.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The NBL21 Defensive Player of the Year and former Illawarra Hawks star Justin Simon will bring his talents to the Sydney Kings in NBL23.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The 26-year-old, 196 cm wing is the Kings second import signing, joining import point guard Derrick Walton Jr<\/a> on the Kings roster. It leaves just the final import spot open.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking from his home in California, Simon said he was excited to return to Australia and join the Kings as we defend our NBL22 Championship.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI feel amazing,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t really describe it. I\u2019m pumped and hyped.\u00a0 It\u2019s an unreal feeling and I can\u2019t wait to get there.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Kings are an unbelievable organisation. I love that brand of basketball they are playing, it\u2019s obvious coach (Chase Buford) knows what he\u2019s doing and I know I can fit into that system. It\u2019s something I wanted to be a part of.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

BUY YOUR KINGS MEMBERSHIPS HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Simon was a defensive force in his debut NBL season with the Hawks, winning the 2020-21 Damian Martin Award as the NBL\u2019s Best Defensive Player, and regularly putting the clamps on the league\u2019s best guards such as Bryce Cotton and our own Casper Ware.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Last season he signed with MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in Germany\u2019s top-level Bundesliga and while again winning the league\u2019s defensive player of the year award, demonstrated his offensive abilities in Europe\u2019s Champions League.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He took the club to third place in the Champions League and scored 27 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals against Hapoel Holon, becoming the first player in league history to score more than 25 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. He also set a new record for points in a Champion\u2019s League final four game. <\/span>
\n\u201cThe year I had in NBL21 as far as winning defensive player of the year was great and then going into the German league and winning it again \u2026 I wanted to show I could be \u2018that guy\u2019 every night,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut offensively in Germany was able to showcase that side of my game and show I could contribute at that end a lot more than I did last time around.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019m growing as a professional and that\u2019s something more that attracted me to Sydney, the people they have on the coaching staff and the skill development they can give me.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Having played in Freeway Series games for the Hawks, Simon fully understands the rivalry between the Kings and Hawks and the frosty reception he is likely to receive from the fans in Wollongong.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can feel that energy between the fans and both clubs, but that\u2019s an environment I want to be in and I\u2019m excited to experience that first game between the two clubs,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coach Chase Buford said Justin was \u201cthe perfect fit\u201d for a Kings team in pursuit of back-to-back championships.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“He is someone that can guard multiple positions and can really disrupt any ball handler. The combination of X (Xavier Cooks) and Justin is as intimidating of defensive pairing as there is in the league, and one that will propel us to be an elite unit on that end once again this season,\u201d Buford said.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn the other end he is also a great compliment for our group. His ability to get out in the open floor and put pressure on the rim will be a great match for Kings basketball.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kings CEO Chris Pongrass said Kings fans should be rightfully excited by the signing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve already seen what Justin is capable of doing defensively in this league. He prides himself on locking up the best player on the opposing team night in and night out. He is exactly the piece we were after,\u201d Pongrass said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe we can take Justin\u2019s game to the next level and showing what he can really do in the NBL on both sides of the ball. Kings fans will love his energy, passion and desire to win.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Simon joins Walton Jr, Xavier Cooks, Shaun Bruce, Dejan Vasiljevic, Angus Glover, Biwali Bayles, Jaylin Galloway, Jordan Hunter,\u00a0Kouat Noi and Jackson Makoi on the Kings\u2019 list for upcoming season.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The NBL23 schedule is expected to be released soon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Join us in welcoming back, NBL's best defender, Justin Simon. <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcddRead on Justin's thoughts when signing with the Kings: https:\/\/t.co\/dCgL74ORyF<\/a>#WeTheKings<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/XiQ3gtYNPb<\/a><\/p>\n

— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) July 18, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n