Boomers: we’re not taking Patty and Bryce
May 18, 2026
Xavier Cooks
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 19/08/95
- Place of Birth: Ballarat (VIC)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 203
- Weight (KG): 83
- Junior Assoc: NSW - Illawarra
- College: Winthrop (2014–2018)
- NBL DEBUT: 14/12/19
- AGE AT DEBUT: 24
- LAST NBL GAME: 15/03/23
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 27
- NBL History: Sydney 2020-23, 2025-26
- Championships: 3
- Sydney (2022-23)
BIO: Cooks was born in Ballarat, Victoria to father Eric and mother Josie. His father is a African-American expatriate who became a naturalised citizen of Australia after a long-serving career playing in the Australian state league (CBA) and his mother is Australian.
He was raised alongside siblings Georgia and Dominique, the latter of which formerly played professional basketball for the Illawarra Hawks. His family moved to Wollongong when Xavier was a young age when his father accepted a opportunity with the Illawarra Hawks.
FAMILY: Xavier Cooks is the son of Eric Cooks who played 119 games in the NBL. Xavier’s brother, Dom Cooks also played 14 games in the NBL.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Xavier Cooks made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 24 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.
Xavier Cooks averaged 6.1 points and 8.9 rebounds during the 2019/20 season, contributing to a Sydney Kings team that finished in first place with a 20-8 record. In the semifinals, Sydney defeated Melbourne (2-1), setting up a Grand Final showdown with Perth. However, the best-of-five Grand Final series was cut short by the Kings, who chose to withdraw while down 2–1, citing COVID-19 concerns. As a result, Perth was awarded the championship, and Sydney was deemed runners-up.
2020/21
The Kings faced significant roster changes after their runner-up finish to Perth in the 2020 season, cut short by COVID-19. The team was forced to replace key figures: All-NBL First Team forward Jae’Sean Tate and head coach Will Weaver both departed for the NBA’s Houston Rockets, while veterans Kevin Lisch, Andrew Bogut, and Lucas Walker retired. Kings assistant Adam Forde was promoted to head coach, bringing in new talent, including import Jarell Martin, Angus Glover (via Illawarra), and rookie Dejan Vasiljevic (from Miami University). During preseason, promising forward Xavier Cooks suffered a foot injury, and Tom Vodanovich (via New Zealand) was signed as his injury replacement. Glover then tore his ACL and was sidelined for all but two games.
With a young core stepping up in the absence of key veterans, the Kings struggled early, dropping three of their first four games to sit at seventh on the ladder. During an in-season tournament, the NBL Cup, Sydney began to gain momentum, breaking even at 4-4 and then climbing into the top four by Round 12, thanks to a balanced offense led by co-captain Casper Ware (17.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists) and Martin (17.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists). Vasiljevic (15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists) and Jordan Hunter (9.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.1 blocks) emerged as core contributors, with Hunter finishing second in Most Improved Player voting and Vasiljevic winning Rookie of the Year. Cooks (10.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 blocks) returned late in the season, making an impact with a career-high 19 points and 11 rebounds against Illawarra.
Despite solid individual performances, the Kings struggled with perimeter shooting (ranking last in three-point percentage, 33.4%) and winning on the road, ultimately falling to fifth place with a 19-17 record, just missing the playoffs.
2021/22
In 2021, the Kings replaced head coach Adam Forde with unproven American coach Chase Buford, son of NBA executive R.C. Buford. Buford inherited a strong core lineup that included Xavier Cooks, Jarell Martin, and Dejan Vasiljevic, and added former NBA talent Jaylen Adams and import RJ Hunter.
The Kings faced a challenging start with early-season injuries. RJ Hunter played only one game before being sidelined, while Adams missed a third of the season, and young big man Jordan Hunter missed the entire season. This led to a slow start, with the Kings hitting a rough patch in January, losing four consecutive games. However, with Adams’ return and the addition of NBA veteran Ian Clark (an injury replacement for Jordan Hunter), Sydney found their rhythm. Clark averaged 13.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, proving to be a valuable scoring asset off the bench.
The Kings finished the regular season on a 13-game winning streak, positioning themselves for the playoffs. They met Brian Goorjian and the Illawarra Hawks in the semifinals, winning the series in two straight games. Meanwhile, Tasmania JackJumpers, in their debut season, managed to qualify for the playoffs due to points percentage after South East Melbourne beat Perth in the season’s final game. The JackJumpers shocked Melbourne United, setting up a Grand Final showdown with the Kings.
In Game 1 of the Grand Final series, Sydney overpowered Tasmania (95-78), with MVP Jaylen Adams scoring 18 points before suffering a left hamstring injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the series.
In Game 2, Josh Adams of the JackJumpers scored 36 points in front of a packed Tasmanian crowd, but the Kings held their ground with strong performances from Xavier Cooks and Jarell Martin, both scoring 20 points. Dejan Vasiljevic sealed the game with a long-range three-pointer, clinching a 90-86 victory and setting an NBL record with Sydney’s 12th straight road win.
Dejan Vasiljevic with the 𝘿𝘼𝙂𝙂𝙀𝙍 🗡️
–
– 📺 Watch the #NBLFinals Live on ESPN pic.twitter.com/XDIgoHVKo9— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) May 8, 2022
The Kings closed out the series in Game 3, breaking their 17-year championship drought in front of 16,000 fans at Qudos Bank Arena. Cooks and Martin combined for 45 points and 29 rebounds in the victory. Cooks was named Finals MVP, averaging 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists across the series. At 33, Buford became one of the youngest coaches to win an NBL title.
17 years in the making 💜💛#WeTheKings #NBL22 pic.twitter.com/Wz7uIGjTr6— Sydney Kings (@SydneyKings) May 14, 2022
#VALUE!
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 30 | Sydney | 24-9 (1) | 36 | 385.1 | 488 | 243 | 106 | 94 | 149 | 27 | 47 | 56 | 92 | 205 | 322 | 64% | 1 | 5 | 20% | 77 | 157 | 49% | 62% | 64% | 27 |
| 2024-25 | 29 | Sydney | 16-13 (5) | 28 | 643.3 | 426 | 244 | 108 | 89 | 155 | 26 | 36 | 57 | 74 | 157 | 278 | 56% | 6 | 22 | 27% | 106 | 173 | 61% | 59% | 58% | 25 |
| 2022-23 | 27 | Sydney | 19-9 (1) | 33 | 870.0 | 496 | 253 | 120 | 66 | 187 | 17 | 19 | 85 | 70 | 193 | 337 | 57% | 9 | 28 | 32% | 101 | 184 | 55% | 58% | 59% | 27 |
| 2021-22 | 26 | Sydney | 19-9 (3) | 31 | 872.1 | 482 | 312 | 91 | 88 | 224 | 14 | 67 | 77 | 64 | 192 | 341 | 56% | 13 | 43 | 30% | 85 | 132 | 64% | 60% | 58% | 25 |
| 2020-21 | 25 | Sydney | 19-17 (5) | 8 | 166.6 | 82 | 41 | 20 | 18 | 23 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 31 | 58 | 53% | 5 | 10 | 50% | 15 | 24 | 63% | 59% | 58% | 19 |
| 2019-20 | 24 | Sydney | 20-8 (1) | 19 | 462.9 | 128 | 172 | 34 | 48 | 124 | 9 | 24 | 24 | 34 | 54 | 123 | 44% | 4 | 32 | 13% | 16 | 34 | 47% | 46% | 46% | 14 | Totals | 155 | 3400 | 2102 | 1265 | 479 | 403 | 862 | 98 | 201 | 311 | 348 | 832 | 1459 | 57.0% | 38 | 140 | 27.1% | 400 | 704 | 56.8% | 59% | 58% | 27 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 30 | Sydney | 24-9 (1) | 36 | 10.7 | 13.6 | 6.8 | 2.9 | 2.6 | 4.1 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 5.7 | 8.9 | 64% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 20% | 2.1 | 4.4 | 49% | 62% | 64% | 27 |
| 2024-25 | 29 | Sydney | 16-13 (5) | 28 | 23.0 | 15.2 | 8.7 | 3.9 | 3.2 | 5.5 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 5.6 | 9.9 | 56% | 0.2 | 0.8 | 27% | 3.8 | 6.2 | 61% | 59% | 58% | 25 |
| 2022-23 | 27 | Sydney | 19-9 (1) | 33 | 26.4 | 15.0 | 7.7 | 3.6 | 2.0 | 5.7 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 5.8 | 10.2 | 57% | 0.3 | 0.8 | 32% | 3.1 | 5.6 | 55% | 58% | 59% | 27 |
| 2021-22 | 26 | Sydney | 19-9 (3) | 31 | 28.1 | 15.5 | 10.1 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 7.2 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 6.2 | 11.0 | 56% | 0.4 | 1.4 | 30% | 2.7 | 4.3 | 64% | 60% | 58% | 25 |
| 2020-21 | 25 | Sydney | 19-17 (5) | 8 | 20.8 | 10.3 | 5.1 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 3.9 | 7.3 | 53% | 0.6 | 1.3 | 50% | 1.9 | 3.0 | 63% | 59% | 58% | 19 |
| 2019-20 | 24 | Sydney | 20-8 (1) | 19 | 24.4 | 6.7 | 9.1 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 6.5 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 6.5 | 44% | 0.2 | 1.7 | 13% | 0.8 | 1.8 | 47% | 46% | 46% | 14 | Total | 155 | 21.9 | 13.6 | 8.2 | 3.1 | 2.6 | 5.6 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 5.4 | 9.4 | 57.0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 27.1% | 0.2 | 0.9 | 56.8% | 59% | 58% | 27 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 27 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Illawarra Hawks (2013), BA Centre of Excellence (2014)
Cooks joined the Illawarra Hawks for the 2013 Waratah League season, beginning his state league career before heading to college, and that year stands as his first Australian state league stop in the verified timeline that also matches his Ballarat birth date and Winthrop college path.
Cooks joined the BA Centre of Excellence for the 2014 SEABL season and averaged 13.9 points while shooting 54.3 percent from the field, with one reported weekend in round 10 seeing him average 22.5 points and 10 rebounds in the absence of Jack McVeigh, while another round against Sandringham included a 17-point, 13-rebound performance.
FIBA EXPERIENCE
In 2017, Cooks was named to the Australian "Emerging Boomers" squad for the 2017 Summer Universiade.
In early August 2019, Cooks made the final cut for Australias 2019 FIBA World Cup roster. However, one week later he was forced to withdraw from the competition due to a knee injury sustained during practice.
Cooks was named to the Australian squad for the FIBA Q5 World Qualifiers in November 2022 but sustained an injury the week prior and was forced to withdraw.
In 2023, Cooks earned selection to Australias FIBA World Cup squad. The team went on to finish in tenth place, with a record of 3-2.
The following year, he was selected as a part of the 22-player Boomers squad that prepared for the 2024 Olympics. In what was arguably the most competitive Boomers camp is program history, Cooks was one of the final players to be cut and missed out on the Paris Olympics.
In 2025, Xavier Cooks was selected to the Australian Boomers for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, where the team won the gold medal.
FIBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 28 | 5 | 86 | 45 | 28 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 20 | 30 | 66.7% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 5 | 9 | 55.6% | Total | 5 | 86 | 45 | 28 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 20 | 30 | 67% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 5 | 9 | 56% |
FIBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 28 | 5 | 17.2 | 9.0 | 5.6 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 66.7% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 1.0 | 1.8 | 55.6% | Total | 5 | 17.2 | 9.0 | 5.6 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 1.8 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 67% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.0 | 1.8 | 56% |
NBA EXPERIENCE
Cooks joined the Phoenix Suns for the 2019 NBA Summer League.
Cooks played 10 games in the NBA. He averaged 3.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game over his NBA career.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 78% | 89% | 65% | 96% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 27 | 10 | 4 | 6 | ||||||
| Total | 832 | 1459 | 57.0% | 38 | 140 | 27.1% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 27 | Washington | PF | 10 | 1 | 126 | 38 | 38 | 6 | 16 | 22 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 28 | 61% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 4 | 10 | 40% | 59% | 61% | Total | 10 | 1 | 126 | 38 | 38 | 6 | 16 | 22 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 28 | 61% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 4 | 10 | 40% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 27 | Washington | PF | 10 | 1 | 12.6 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 61% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 0.4 | 1.0 | 40% | 59% | 61% | Total | 10 | 1 | 12.6 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 61% | 0.1 | 0% | 0.4 | 1.0 | 40% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Germany - S.Oliver Würzburg (2018–2019) | New Zealand - Wellington (2022) | Japan - Chiba (2024)
Cooks joined s.Oliver Würzburg for the 2018–19 Basketball Bundesliga season, playing his first season in Germany, and he played 54 games across all competitions while also appearing in the FIBA Europe Cup.
At Würzburg in 2018–19, Cooks averaged 12.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists in German league play, and his FIBA Europe Cup run included an 18-point, 16-rebound double-double in a 96–87 overtime win over Pinar Karsiyaka and a 25-point outing against Alba Fehérvár.
Cooks joined SIG Strasbourg for the 2019–20 LNB Pro A season in July 2019, but after suffering a knee injury in training on 7 August he did not play for the club and was released by mutual agreement on 27 November 2019.
Cooks joined the Wellington Saints for the 2022 New Zealand NBL season, and he was named league MVP, Most Outstanding Forward and an All-Star Five selection after averaging 21.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.4 blocks in 13 appearances.
With Wellington in 2022, Cooks recorded seven double-doubles and one triple-double, helped the Saints recover from a 3–7 start to reach the Final 6, and had a 24-point, 24-rebound game against the Southland Sharks during the season.
Cooks joined Chiba Jets Funabashi for the 2023–24 B.League season on 21 November 2023, and he went on to average more than 13 points and eight rebounds across 52 appearances while helping the club win the 2024 EASL title.
In the 2024 EASL Final Four, Cooks had 24 points and a league-record 23 rebounds in Chiba’s 92–84 semifinal win over the New Taipei Kings, then added 6 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block in the 72–69 championship win over Seoul SK Knights as the Jets completed a perfect EASL season.
COLLEGE
Xavier Cooks played at Winthrop from 2014 to 2018 after choosing the Eagles over offers from UC Santa Barbara, Boise State, Hartford, Maine, and Nicholls State, arriving from the Australian Institute of Sport Centre of Excellence as a 6-foot-8 guard/forward from Wollongong.
Cooks made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2014–15, earning Big South All-Freshman Team honours as he began building what became one of the most decorated careers in program history.
In his sophomore season in 2015–16, Cooks progressed into an all-conference level performer and was named to the All-Big South Second Team as his role expanded at both ends of the floor.
As a junior in 2016–17, Cooks was named First-team All-Big South and added Big South All-Tournament Team recognition as Winthrop won the Big South Tournament, with his season also including a league-leading 300 rebounds across the year.
On February 15, 2017, Cooks produced a signature performance at Longwood with 21 points and a career-high 20 rebounds, recording Winthrop’s first 20-point, 20-rebound game since 2003 and further underlining his dominance on the glass that season.
Cooks’ senior year in 2017–18 became his most decorated campaign, as he was again named First-team All-Big South and was voted Big South Player of the Year while ranking among the league’s most complete all-around players at 17.6 points (3rd), 8.9 rebounds (1st), 3.7 assists (2nd), 2.1 blocks (1st), and 51.0 percent shooting (3rd), with eight 20-point games and eight double-doubles across the season.
During that 2017–18 season he recorded the conference’s only triple-double, finishing with 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists against Reinhardt on December 2, and he also produced the Big South’s first 30-point, 15-rebound game since 2014 when he erupted for a career-high 36 points and 16 rebounds in a win at Gardner-Webb on February 15.
Across his Winthrop career, Cooks became the program’s all-time leading rebounder with 983 boards, finished third in school history with 1,778 points, and set the school record for blocked shots with 221 while also ranking sixth all-time in Big South history for blocks, with his résumé including NABC All-District honours, two Lou Henson Watch List selections, and participation in the NABC Annual All-Star Game in his senior year.
Two years after graduating, Cooks’ Winthrop impact was further recognised in 2020 when he was voted into the Big South Men’s Basketball All-Decade Team for 2010–19, with the conference noting him as an All-American, Player of the Year, and three-time all-conference selection during that decade window.
AWARDS
- 1x All-NBL First Team
- 3x All-NBL Second Team- NZNBL MVP (2022)
- NZNBL All-Star Five (2022)
- Big South Player of the Year (2018)
-
2× First-team All-Big South (2017, 2018)
Related
HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PLAYER?
Whilst we try to source as much information as we can for every player who has ever played in the NBL some information on a player profile may be missing. If you have additional information on a player you'd like us to add to a profile, please send it to us using the enquiry form below.
Submissions are then sent to info@aussiehoopla.com