Sydney Kings are back in the NBL
THE Sydney Kings have been officially readmitted into the National Basketball League for the 2010-11 season after two years on the sidelines.
JOSHUA LEVI
THE Sydney Kings have been officially readmitted into the National Basketball League for the 2010-11 season after two years on the sidelines.
The announcement on Wednesday (March 24) comes seven months after the death of former high-profile Kings owner Mike Wrublewski.
Former Kings player — and Australia’s most successful Jewish basketball player — Brad Rosen is part of the consortium that hopes to guide the Kings to success.
“It’s been a long process we are just so happy that this has all worked out,” Rosen said.
“We have had many meetings trying to get this over the line with a lot of people and it’s amazing to be able to say the Kings are back!
“I grew up as a kid and all I wanted to do was play for the Sydney Kings and the club has had a lot of links to the Jewish community.
“I want to be able to go to games and tell my kids, ‘that’s the team I played for’.”
Rosen said it was sad that Wrublewski was not alive to see the return of the Kings, which he was integral in starting in late 1980s.
“I had a very special relationships with him because he was one of my best mates’ father and he was also my boss. He will always be in our thoughts. He is the true King of the Kings and there is no doubt that he will never be forgotten.”
Wrublewski’s son Adam attended the press conference on Wednesday when the announcement of the Kings return was made.
Former executive chairman of Myer and senior executive of Woolworths Bill Wavish, former West Razor Backs chairman Bill Hudson and Sydney businessman Max Schroder are three of the key financial backers of the club. Former coach Bob Turner will be the CEO.