History of Sydney Kings in Timeline

The Sydney Kings are a professional men's basketball team in the Australian National Basketball League (NBL), based in Sydney, New South Wales. They play their home games at Qudos Bank Arena. Formed in 1987 through a merger, the Kings have secured five NBL championships (2003, 2004, 2005, 2022 and 2023). Notably, they were the first NBL team to achieve a three-peat championship run. They currently rank third in total championships won, trailing Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats.

1983: Entertainment Centre Opened

The Entertainment Centre, which became the Sydney Kings' venue, originally opened in 1983, making it the league's oldest venue by 2015.

October 1987: Sydney Kings Formation

In October 1987, the Sydney Kings were formed from a merger between the West Sydney Westars and the Sydney Supersonics.

October 1987: Sydney Kings Formation and Color Adoption

In October 1987, the Sydney Kings were formed from a merger, and they adopted the purple-and-gold colors associated with the Los Angeles Lakers.

1988: Home Venue

In 1988, the Sydney Kings first home venue was the State Sports Centre located at Homebush Bay.

1989: First Final Four Appearance

In 1989, the Sydney Kings finished fifth with a 15–9 record and advanced to the semi-finals for the first time, defeating the Melbourne Tigers 2–1. They were then defeated by the Canberra Cannons 142–82 in the series-deciding third game.

1989: Home Venue

In 1989, the Sydney Kings' home venue was the State Sports Centre located at Homebush Bay.

1990: Venue Change

In 1990, the Kings moved into the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

1990: Playoff Appearance

In 1990, the Sydney Kings made it to the playoffs but lost in the first round to the Brisbane Bullets.

1992: Semi-Finals Appearance

In 1992, the Sydney Kings, led by Dwayne McClain and Ken McClary, finished second on the ladder and advanced to the semi-finals, where they were defeated by the Melbourne Tigers.

1993: Failed Playoff Qualification

In 1993, despite having high-profile players, the Sydney Kings failed to make the NBL playoffs.

1994: Previous Home Fan Attendance Record

In 1994, the Sydney Kings set a home fan attendance record that was surpassed in the 2019-20 season.

1994: Playoff Elimination

In 1994, the Sydney Kings were eliminated in the first round of the NBL playoffs.

1995: Failed Playoff Qualification

In 1995, despite having high-profile players, the Sydney Kings failed to make the NBL playoffs.

1996: Playoff Drought Begins

After their elimination in 1996, the Sydney Kings would not make the NBL playoffs again until 2001.

1996: Playoff Elimination

In 1996, the Sydney Kings were eliminated in the first round of the NBL playoffs.

1999: Venue Change

In 1999, the Kings moved back to Homebush Bay and into the Sydney Superdome.

1999: Attracted NBL-record crowd for opening-round game

In 1999, the Sydney Kings attracted an NBL-record crowd of 17,143 for their opening-round game against the Canberra Cannons at the Superdome. The game was played as a double header with the West Sydney Razorbacks playing the Brisbane Bullets.

1999: Hosted Double Header

In the 1999-2000 season, the Sydney Kings hosted a double header at the Superdome, playing against the Canberra Cannons while the West Sydney Razorbacks played the Brisbane Bullets.

2000: Olympic Venue

In 2000, the Sydney Superdome hosted the Summer Olympics.

2000: League Record Attendance

In the 1999-2000 season, the Sydney Kings hosted a double header that set a league record of 17,143 fans in attendance at the Superdome.

2000: Attracted NBL-record crowd for opening-round game

In the 1999–2000 season, the Sydney Kings attracted an NBL-record crowd of 17,143 for their opening-round game against the Canberra Cannons at the Superdome. Their time at the Superdome lasted only three years.

2001: Voluntary administration

Following the 2001–02 season, the Sydney Kings went into voluntary administration.

2001: Playoff Appearance and Elimination

In 2001, the Sydney Kings made it to the first round of the NBL playoffs before being eliminated by the Townsville Crocodiles. Shane Heal was recruited to lead the team.

2002: Recruitment of Key Players and Coach

For the 2002–03 season, the Sydney Kings recruited Chris Williams, Kavossy Franklin and Brian Goorjian as coach.

2002: Defensive Tactics Implementation

In 2002, Brian Goorjian implemented his defensive tactics for the Kings, and they recruited Chris Williams. Players like Jason Smith and Bradley Sheridan followed Goorjian to Sydney.

2002: Heal's Replacement and Smith's Injury

In 2002, C.J. Bruton was recruited to replace Shane Heal. Jason Smith signed with the Kings after returning from Europe but was injured 13 games into the season and was replaced by Chris Carrawell.

2002: Move back to the Entertainment Centre

In 2002, after being purchased by a new investment group, the Sydney Kings moved back to the Entertainment Centre due to falling attendances and the high cost of playing at the Superdome.

2003: NBL Championship Win

In 2003, the Sydney Kings won their first NBL championship.

2003: Equaling Winning Streak Record

In the 2021–22 season, the Kings won 13 straight games, equalling the second-longest winning streak in franchise history set between the end of the 2003 season.

2004: Second NBL Championship

In 2004, the Sydney Kings secured their second NBL championship.

2004: Third Consecutive Championship

In 2004, the Sydney Kings won their third consecutive championship, defeating the Wollongong Hawks in three straight games.

2004: Equaling Winning Streak Record

In the 2021–22 season, the Kings won 13 straight games, equalling the second-longest winning streak in franchise history set at the beginning of 2004.

2005: Third Consecutive NBL Championship

In 2005, the Sydney Kings achieved their third consecutive NBL championship, becoming the first team to do so in the NBL.

2005: Grand Final Appearance

In 2005, the Sydney Kings finished atop the ladder and made it to the grand final.

2006: Grand Final Loss and Club Purchase

In 2006, the Sydney Kings were swept 3–0 by the Melbourne Tigers in the grand final. The club was then purchased for $2 million by Tim Johnston, chairman of Firepower International.

2006: Semi-Finals Loss

In the 2006–07 season, the Sydney Kings continued their success into the post-season despite losing C. J. Bruton. The Kings faced off against the Bruton led Bullets in the semi-finals losing 2–0.

2007: Part Share Sold

In 2007, Tim Johnston sold a part share in the Sydney Kings to Dorry Kordahi, CEO and owner of DKM.

2007: Grand Final Rematch Loss

In the 2007–08 season, the Sydney Kings faced the Melbourne Tigers in a grand final rematch. The Kings lost 3–2 in the deciding 5th game at home.

March 2008: Coach Brian Goorjian Quits

On 24 March 2008, coach Brian Goorjian quit the Sydney Kings after a mutual agreement.

June 2008: NBL Terminates Kings' Licence

On 12 June 2008, the NBL terminated the Sydney Kings' licence due to the collapse of Firepower and the team's inability to pay player salaries.

2010: Sydney Kings Relaunch

In 2010, under a revised management structure and ownership, the Sydney Kings relaunched for the 2010–11 NBL season after a two-year absence, finishing last with an 8–20 record.

2011: Andrew Bogut Linked with Kings

In 2011, during the NBA Lockout, Andrew Bogut was linked with the Sydney Kings, however, insurance issues prevented him from playing.

2011: Season Performance

In the 2011–12 season, the Kings finished in seventh spot with an 11–17 record.

2012: Move one game to the State Sports Centre

During the 2012–13 NBL season, the Sydney Kings were forced to move one game to the State Sports Centre due to a pre-booked event at the Entertainment Centre.

2012: Playoff Qualification

In the 2012-13 season, the Kings qualified for the playoffs.

October 2013: Announced Best Team from First 25 Years

On 10 October 2013, the Sydney Kings announced their best team from the first 25 years of the club at their 2013–14 season launch at the Australian Museum. Brian Goorjian was named head coach, and Jason Smith was named captain.

2013: Finals Appearance

After a 18–10 record across the 2018–19 season, the Sydney Kings recorded their first finals appearance since 2013. Andrew Bogut received MVP honours.

November 2015: 800th Franchise Game

In November 2015, the Sydney Kings played their 800th game in franchise history.

2015: Closing of the Entertainment Centre

In 2015, the Entertainment Centre closed, giving the Sydney Kings the league's oldest venue at the time.

2015: Move to Homebush Bay

Midway through the 2015–16 season, the Sydney Kings moved back to Homebush Bay due to the SEC being demolished.

March 2016: New management and move back to the Superdome

On 13 March 2016, the Sydney Kings came under new management and were subsequently moved back to the Superdome (Qudos Bank Arena) for the 2016–17 season.

2016: Andrew Gaze Named Head Coach

In 2016, Andrew Gaze was named head coach of the Sydney Kings on a three-year deal.

2016: Recruitment of Key Players

In 2016, The team recruited Kevin Lisch, Brad Newley and Aleks Marić plus Greg Whittington and Michael Bryson

2017: Roster Changes and Performance

Before the 2017–18 season, the Sydney Kings recruited imports Perry Ellis and Travis Leslie plus Todd Blanchfield, however, lost 16 of their first 21 games due to Lisch's injury.

January 2018: Wall of Legends Inductions

On 28 January 2018, the most recent inductions to the Sydney Kings' Wall of Legends were made at halftime of the Kings vs Melbourne United match, bringing the total to 13.

April 2018: Signing of Andrew Bogut and Next Stars Program

On 24 April 2018, the Sydney Kings announced the signing of Andrew Bogut. They also became the first beneficiary of the NBL's new Next Stars program, signing Brian Bowen.

November 2019: Set All-Time NBL Single-Game Attendance Record

On 17 November 2019, the Sydney Kings set the all-time NBL single-game attendance record with 17,514 at the Superdome in a game against the Illawarra Hawks. LaMelo Ball was a major drawcard.

2019: High Home Crowd Attendance

During the 2019-20 season, six of the top ten home crowds in Sydney Kings franchise history attended games at Qudos Bank Arena.

2019: Record-Breaking Fan Attendance

In the 2019–20 NBL season, the Sydney Kings averaged 10,012 fans per home game, marking the largest per-game average at home in franchise history. The total home fan attendance for the season was 140,168.

2021: Winning Streak and Championship

In the 2021–22 season, the Kings won 13 straight games and Jaylen Adams received MVP honours. Sydney swept the Illawarra Hawks and Tasmania Jack Jumpers to win the NBL championship.

2022: NBL Championship Win

In 2022, the Sydney Kings won their fourth NBL championship.

2022: Attracted Biggest Playoff Crowd in NBL History

In game 3 of the 2022 NBL Grand Final series against the Tasmania Jack Jumpers at the Sydney SuperDome, the Sydney Kings attracted a crowd of 16,149, then the biggest playoff crowd in NBL history.

2022: Minor Premiership and Championship

In the 2022–23 season, the Sydney Kings continued their dominant performance leading to a 19–9 record and the minor premiership and defeated the New Zealand Breakers 3–2 in the Grand Final series to lift the franchise to back-to-back titles.

2022: Grand Final Series against New Zealand Breakers

In the Grand Final Series of the 2022–23 season against the New Zealand Breakers the Sydney Kings set the new single-game attendance record and playoff game attendance record twice.

March 2023: New single-game attendance record

On Friday 10 March 2023, a new record of 18,049 attended game 3 of the series.

2023: NBL Championship Win

In 2023, the Sydney Kings won their fifth NBL championship.

2024: End of season

As of the end of the 2024–25 season, this is recorded.

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