BIO: Daniel Michael Kickert was born in Melbourne (VIC) and attended Aquinas College. He began playing basketball as a child for E Bees Junior Basketball Club and Waverley Basketball Club. He also represented Knox and Nunawading across U12s to U18s, including playing for Nunawading in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) in 2000.

He played college basketball for Saint Mary’s, leaving in 2006 as the program’s all-time scoring leader. He holds a Dutch passport and as a result spent the next eight years playing in Europe as a local player. He returned to Australia in 2014 to play for Melbourne United. Kickert received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2001. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2001, 2002).

FAMILY: Kickert’s parents are Rudy and Jenny. His wife’s name is Erica.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Daniel Kickert made his NBL debut with the Melbourne United at 31 years of age. He scored seven points in his first game.

On 13 August 2014, Kickert signed with Melbourne United who had rebranded from the Tigers a month earlier. The name change was a attempt to move away from the Melbourne Tigers junior program which was a team synonymous with ‘poaching’ young talent from other junior programs in Victoria and had negative connotations with much of Victoria’s basketball community. The name, attempting to symbolise a connection to all of Victorian basketball was a decision made by owner Larry Kestelman.

The team retained head coach Chris Anstey and added Tigers legend Daryl Corletto who had spent three years with the New Zealand Breakers. Australian Boomers players David Barlow, who had spent the past five years in Europe and Daniel Kickert signed on with the club as long time captain of the club Tommy Greer retired.

The team retained their Tigers core of Mark Worthington, Lucas Walker and Nate Tomlinson who were all chosen to share the captaincy this season and their last move was to complement the squad by signing their import talent, adding Jordan McRae and Stephen Dennis.

Adam Ballinger, who had signed a two-year deal the previous season, was a part of the team up until the week before the season when United chose to release him. a unfavorable situation for Ballinger as every other NBL team had completed their rosters, leaving Ballinger nowhere to negotiate. He was eventually signed by Illawarra and played the remainder of the season with the Hawks.

United’s inaugural season began with a loss to Cairns (89–61) which saw coach Chris Anstey resign and replaced by his assistant Darryl McDonald. In 28 games, Kickert would average 13.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.5 assists as United went on to finish the season in fifth place (13–15), missing out on the playoffs.

2015/16
On 10 June 2015, Kickert re-signed with United for the 2015/16 season. He came very close to becoming the first NBL player ever to join the exclusive 50–40–90 club. He did reach the required splits—finishing the season with figures of 52.5/47.2/90.5—but fell four made free throws short of the minimum requirements. In 28 games Kickert averaged 14.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists and helped United finish in first place (18-10) on the NBL ladder, while earning All-NBL First Team honours. Despite the strong finish under new coach Dean Demopoulos, the team lost to New Zealand in the semifinals, losing to the Breakers in two straight games.

BRISBANE BULLETS
2016/17
On 8 April 2016, Kickert signed with the Brisbane Bullets. After coming close in 2015/16, Kickert became the first player in NBL history to join the 50–40–90 club in 2016/17. He averaged 12.8 points per game and shot 54.4 percent from the field, 45.9 percent from three and 95.0 percent from the line, while Brisbane finished in eighth place (10-18).

Brisbane entered 2017/18 looking to improve on an eighth-place finish and 10-18 record in their first season back in the NBL. Andrej Lemanis remained head coach with Adam Gibson captain, while Torrey Craig (to Denver), Jermaine Beal (to Israel) and Jeremy Kendle (to South West Metro) departed. Travis Trice (via Cairns), Stephen Holt (via Czech Republic) and Perrin Buford (via Italy) were added, while development player Will Magnay (via Tulsa) signed a three-year deal. Cameron Bairstow remained sidelined while recovering from the ACL injury suffered the previous season, while Anthony Petrie returned from knee surgery.

Brisbane was also selected to take part in the first NBLxNBA series, travelling to Phoenix to face the Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 13. Trice (20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal) led Brisbane, while Jervis (13 points and 6 rebounds), Buford (11 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Kickert (10 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) also contributed, but Devin Booker (31 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Phoenix to a 114-93 win.
Watch Brisbane Bullets vs Phoenix Suns replay

Brisbane opened the season against defending champions Perth at Perth Arena on October 7, where Kickert (18 points) made four three-pointers but the Wildcats won 96-86. Trice (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Buford (13 points and 5 rebounds) were Brisbane’s other leading scorers, while Bryce Cotton (24 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Perth.

Kickert (13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds across 26 games) was playing his second season with Brisbane after signing with the club in April 2016 and again proved to be one of the NBL’s most efficient scorers. After becoming the first player in league history to join the 50-40-90 club the previous season, he repeated the feat in 2017/18, shooting 52.8 percent from the field, 42.2 percent from three and 91.9 percent from the free throw line.

On October 22, Kickert (21 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) produced one of his best games of the season against Illawarra, but Brisbane fell 105-96 despite Buford (26 points and 9 rebounds) and Holt (17 points) providing support, while Rotnei Clarke (26 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Hawks.

Kickert’s best scoring game came in Cairns on January 5, where he shot 10-of-13 from the field and 3-of-4 from three to finish with 27 points and 8 rebounds. Trice (26 points and 5 assists) and Jervis (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) helped Brisbane recover from a 17-point deficit, but Alex Loughton (22 points) led Cairns to an 83-80 victory, Brisbane’s fourth consecutive loss and another blow to their finals hopes.

A two-game absence during January was Kickert’s only time out of the lineup during the season before he returned later that month. By early February Brisbane had been eliminated from postseason contention, and Buford (15.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks across 22 games) requested his release to pursue an opportunity in Europe. Brisbane agreed to release him after stating he was no longer committed to the team, with Kickert responding on Twitter, “Once a quitter, always a quitter!”

Two days after Buford’s departure, Kickert (21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) led Brisbane to a 99-91 win over Illawarra, their first victory over the Hawks since returning to the NBL. Holt (14 points and 3 rebounds) and Mitchell Young (13 points) provided support, while Demitrius Conger (21 points and 4 rebounds) led Illawarra.

Trice (15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals across 27 games) was named Brisbane’s club MVP, while Jervis (10.2 points and 4.6 rebounds across 24 games), Holt (9.7 points and 3.1 rebounds across 28 games), Te Rangi (7.3 points across 26 games), Gibson (7.3 points and 3.5 assists across 24 games) and Petrie (5.9 points across 16 games) were the other main contributors.

Brisbane closed the season in Adelaide on February 17, where Kickert (6 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block) was held quiet as the 36ers defeated the Bullets 105-82. Trice (20 points) and Holt (12 points and 3 rebounds) led Brisbane, while Majok Deng (20 points and 3 steals) was Adelaide’s leading scorer, leaving the Bullets in eighth place with a 9-19 record.

2018/19
After finishing seventh with an 11-17 record in 2017/18 and missing the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season, Sydney retained coach Andrew Gaze for a third year and overhauled the roster. Perry Ellis (to Cantù), Tom Garlepp (retired), Jason Cadee (to Brisbane), Todd Blanchfield (to Illawarra) and Isaac Humphries (to FMP Beograd) departed, while former MVP Jerome Randle re-signed alongside returning captain Kevin Lisch and Brad Newley. The Kings added Andrew Bogut following his return from the NBA, Daniel Kickert (via Brisbane), who signed a two-year deal on April 27 with a team option for the second season after winning gold with Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, David Wear (via Osaka Evessa), Deng Deng (via McKinnon), Kyle Adnam (via Melbourne) and Tom Wilson (via Melbourne). Sydney also became the first NBL team to use the league’s new Next Stars program, signing McDonald’s All-American Brian Bowen as he prepared for the NBA Draft.

The Kings travelled to Hawaii to face the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBLxNBA series on September 30, where Kickert (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) made three of four three-pointers off the bench. Randle (25 points), Lisch (16 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists) and Newley (8 points) also contributed as Sydney twice reduced the margin to one point before the Clippers’ size and speed proved too much in a 110-91 loss.

Sydney opened the regular season against Adelaide at Qudos Bank Arena on October 13, where Kickert (14 points and 3 rebounds) provided scoring off the bench but the Kings were beaten 94-83. Randle (28 points and 7 assists) and Bogut (6 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks) were Sydney’s other major contributors, while Daniel Johnson (22 points and 10 rebounds) led Adelaide.

Kickert (9.4 points across 30 games) appeared in every game and came off the bench throughout the season, providing Sydney with a reliable floor-spacer whose ability to stretch the floor as a big man created additional room for the Kings’ guards and wings. After becoming the first player in NBL history to record a 50-40-90 season in 2016/17 and repeating the feat with Brisbane in 2017/18, he did not make it three consecutive seasons, shooting 48 percent from the field, 44 percent from three and 85 percent from the free-throw line. Kickert did not miss a game through injury, appearing in all 28 regular-season games and both semifinals.

Kickert’s best scoring game came against Cairns at Qudos Bank Arena on October 28, where he finished with 19 points and 2 assists and made all eight of his free throws as Sydney defeated the Taipans 98-90 in overtime. Randle (24 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Lisch (22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) led the backcourt, while Melo Trimble (29 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals) was Cairns’ best.

His best overall game came against Melbourne at Melbourne Arena on November 5, where Kickert (13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals) produced one of his strongest all-round performances of the season in front of a sell-out crowd of 10,300. Lisch (15 points) and Randle (15 points and 3 assists) led Sydney’s scoring, but DJ Kennedy (24 points and 10 rebounds) helped the defending champions defeat the Kings 77-70.

One of his best shooting performances came against Melbourne on February 8, where Kickert (18 points and 2 assists) made all four of his three-point attempts as Sydney defeated United 97-85 at Qudos Bank Arena, ending a 10-game losing streak against the defending champions and moving back to the top of the ladder. Randle (21 points and 6 assists) and Bogut (15 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks) were also prominent, while Casper Ware (17 points and 5 assists) led Melbourne.

Midway through the season, Sydney added Ray Turner (via Bendigo) (4.5 points across 10 games) for the remainder of the year to provide additional frontcourt depth as Bogut managed injury concerns.

Randle (17.9 points and 4.2 assists across 29 games) remained Sydney’s leading scorer and was selected to the All-NBL Second Team, while Lisch (14.1 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals across 29 games) provided another experienced two-way presence in the backcourt. Bogut (11.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.7 blocks across 30 games) anchored the interior and was awarded the Andrew Gaze Trophy as NBL Most Valuable Player, named the league’s Best Defensive Player and selected to the All-NBL First Team. Newley (10.8 points and 4.6 rebounds across 30 games), Wear (6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds across 30 games), Adnam (6.7 points across 30 games) and Bowen (6.3 points and 3.2 rebounds across 30 games) provided the remaining major support.

Sydney completed the regular season against Cairns on February 16, where Kickert (4 points, 2 assists, and 1 steal) contributed in an 89-84 victory at Qudos Bank Arena. Newley (19 points and 6 rebounds) and Lisch (18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Sydney in the absence of the injured Randle, while Bogut (12 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks) controlled the interior and Trimble (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) led Cairns. The victory completed an 18-10 regular season, leaving Sydney third and sending the Kings to the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

Before the postseason began, it was confirmed Gaze would leave Sydney at the completion of the season.

Melbourne opened the semifinals at Melbourne Arena with a 95-73 win, with Kickert (2 points and 2 rebounds) struggling to make an impact off the bench. Newley (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists), Lisch (13 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Randle (13 points) led Sydney, while Ware (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Kennedy (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Melbourne.

Game two moved to Qudos Bank Arena, where Kickert (3 points, 1 steal, and 1 block) again found scoring opportunities difficult to come by. Lisch (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Adnam (13 points), Turner (12 points and 3 rebounds) and Bogut (10 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) led Sydney, while Ware (30 points and 5 rebounds) and Chris Goulding (23 points) carried Melbourne to a 90-76 victory and a sweep of the semifinal series.

On March 29, Sydney took up the team option on Kickert’s contract, ensuring he remained with the Kings for another season.

2019/20
After underdelivering with Andrew Gaze as coach, Sydney went in a different direction in 2019 and signed Australian Boomers assistant Will Weaver as head coach. Melbourne declined the optional third year of Craig Moller’s contract, allowing Moller (via Melbourne) to return to Sydney on a two-year deal, while Kevin Lisch was re-signed to a multi-year contract. Jerome Randle (to Adelaide) and David Wear (not re-signed) departed and were replaced by Casper Ware (via Melbourne) and Jae’Sean Tate (via Antwerp), while Shaun Bruce (via Adelaide), Lucas Walker (via Cairns), rookie Jordan Hunter (via Saint Mary’s) and Next Star Didi Louzada were also added.

Sydney had already exercised the team option on Kickert’s original two-year contract on March 29, keeping him with the Kings for a second season.

Sydney opened the season in Cairns on October 4, where Kickert (0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) played 13 minutes off the bench as the Kings defeated the Taipans 79-71. Ware (23 points and 5 assists) and Lisch (18 points) led Sydney, while Kouat Noi (14 points and 12 rebounds) was Cairns’ best.

Kickert (7.9 points across 34 games) played every game during the regular season and playoffs and remained one of Weaver’s primary reserves behind Bogut (8.5 points and 8.8 rebounds across 31 games), generally playing around 16 minutes per game. Weaver maximised Kickert’s shooting while also using him in a deep-drop coverage defensively rather than asking him to follow opposing ball-handlers onto the perimeter, allowing his size, positioning and communication to be better utilised. No injury-related absence was recorded during the season.

The Kings were not as fortunate elsewhere, with Lisch (8.7 points across 13 games) fracturing his left ankle in Round 2 and initially being ruled out for two months. Deshon Taylor (via Adelaide) was signed as an injury replacement, with Taylor (6.6 points across 22 games) providing cover, while Moller (6.1 points and 3.5 rebounds across 17 games) played Sydney’s opening 11 games before a right ankle injury forced him to miss the next 16.

On November 27, with Sydney sitting at 10-1, the Kings strengthened their frontcourt further by signing Xavier Cooks (via Strasbourg) to a two-year deal after his release from the French club, while Kuany Kuany (released) was waived to create the roster spot.

Kickert’s 150th NBL game came against Illawarra at Qudos Bank Arena on November 17, where Kickert (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal) made two three-pointers off the bench as Sydney defeated the Hawks 92-87. Tate (24 points and 7 rebounds) and Ware (21 points and 6 assists) led the Kings, while Todd Blanchfield (22 points and 6 rebounds) was Illawarra’s best. The game was played in front of 17,513 fans, setting a new NBL single-game attendance record.

Kickert’s best overall game of the season came in Melbourne on December 14, where Kickert (11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 blocks) made two three-pointers as Sydney defeated United 104-81. Ware (28 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Louzada (14 points and 4 rebounds) led Sydney, while Melo Trimble (19 points and 5 assists) was Melbourne’s leading scorer. The 23-point victory was Sydney’s biggest of the season to that point and United’s biggest loss.

Kickert produced his first season-high scoring performance against South East Melbourne on December 23, where Kickert (18 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist) shot 7-of-10 from the field and made all four of his three-point attempts in only 17 minutes as Sydney defeated the Phoenix 110-98. Newley (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Taylor (15 points) provided support, while John Roberson (25 points and 5 assists) led South East Melbourne. Kickert was named Bunnings Player of the Game as Sydney recorded an NBL season-high 29 assists.

Kickert equalled his season-high against Cairns on January 11, where Kickert (18 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist) made four three-pointers in 19 minutes off the bench as Sydney defeated the Taipans 92-83. Ware (18 points and 4 assists) and Tate (15 points and 8 rebounds) helped the Kings improve to 15-6 and maintain first place, while Scott Machado (16 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) was Cairns’ best. Kickert was again named Bunnings Player of the Game.

Kick it like Kickert.

18 PTS in 19 MINS, that’ll get you the Bunnings POG nod ??@kicks14 #CNSatSYD #NBL20 pic.twitter.com/mkJjVS5NSC

— The NBL (@NBL) January 11, 2020

Kickert finished the regular season leading the NBL in three-point percentage at 50.5 percent while attempting more than three three-pointers per game. His shooting and effectiveness as Weaver’s backup big saw him finish runner-up to Brisbane’s Jason Cadee for Sixth Man of the Year, with Cadee receiving 31 votes to Kickert’s 28.

Ware (17.9 points and 3.7 assists across 34 games) led Sydney in scoring, while Tate (16.8 points and 5.7 rebounds across 34 games) was named to the All-NBL First Team and won the Kings’ club MVP. Newley (11.5 points and 4.4 rebounds across 34 games), Louzada (9.8 points and 3.5 rebounds across 26 games), Bruce (7.1 points and 3 assists across 34 games) and Cooks (6.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks across 20 games) gave Weaver one of the league’s deepest rotations, with Ware and Bogut selected to the All-NBL Second Team.

With Kickert providing efficient shooting off the bench, Sydney finished first with a 20-8 record and became the first team in NBL history to sit on top of the ladder from the beginning of the season until the end. The Kings finished 12-2 at home and led the league in defensive efficiency, defensive rebounding percentage, defensive field-goal percentage and blocked shots.

Sydney opened its semifinal series against Melbourne at Qudos Bank Arena on February 29, where Kickert (2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) came off the bench as the Kings recovered from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 86-80. Tate (23 points and 5 rebounds), Newley (17 points and 5 rebounds) and Cooks (13 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Sydney, while Trimble (34 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Shawn Long (23 points and 10 rebounds) led Melbourne.

Game two moved to Melbourne Arena, where Kickert (9 points and 1 rebound) was one of Sydney’s leading reserves but United responded with a 125-80 victory and forced a deciding game three. Tate (18 points and 6 rebounds), Louzada (10 points and 3 steals) and Ware (10 points) led Sydney, while Long (26 points and 11 rebounds), Trimble (21 points) and Stanton Kidd (18 points and 4 rebounds) powered Melbourne to the 45-point victory.

Game three returned to Qudos Bank Arena, where Kickert (3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal) helped Sydney defeat Melbourne 89-87 and reach its first Grand Final since 2008. Tate (20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block), Ware (15 points and 4 rebounds) and Cooks (14 points and 9 rebounds) led the Kings, while Chris Goulding (19 points and 3 assists) and Mitch McCarron (18 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks) were Melbourne’s best.

The Grand Final opened against defending champion Perth at Qudos Bank Arena on March 8, where Kickert (6 points and 2 rebounds) made two of his three three-point attempts in 14 minutes off the bench but the Wildcats escaped with an 88-86 victory. Bogut (18 points) and Lisch (17 points) led Sydney, while Bryce Cotton (32 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Nick Kay (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks) led Perth.

With the growing COVID-19 outbreak resulting in the remainder of the series being played without fans, game two moved to RAC Arena on March 13, where Kickert (5 points and 4 rebounds) helped Sydney respond with a 97-83 victory. Tate (20 points), Bogut (19 points and 14 rebounds) and Lisch (19 points) led the Kings, while Cotton (27 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Kay (17 points and 7 rebounds) were Perth’s best as Sydney levelled the series 1-1.

Game three returned to Qudos Bank Arena on March 15, where Kickert (0 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) played 15 minutes as Perth won 111-96 and moved ahead 2-1 in the series. Tate (20 points and 6 rebounds), Newley (19 points and 5 rebounds) and Lisch (16 points) led Sydney, while Cotton (31 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Kay (30 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists) combined for 61 points for Perth.

Prior to game four, Sydney withdrew from the series amid the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation and concerns surrounding player welfare, travel restrictions and international players being able to return home. The remaining games were cancelled and Perth was subsequently awarded the championship with its 2-1 series lead, while Cotton was named Grand Final MVP after averaging 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across the three games.

2020/21
Sydney faced significant roster turnover after finishing runners-up to Perth in the COVID-induced conclusion to the 2020 Grand Final. All-NBL First Team forward Jae’Sean Tate (to Houston) and head coach Will Weaver (to Houston) both departed for the NBA, while Kevin Lisch (retired), Andrew Bogut (retired) and Lucas Walker (retired) also left. Kings assistant Adam Forde was promoted to head coach and added import Jarell Martin, Angus Glover (via Illawarra) and rookie Dejan Vasiljevic (via Miami University). During the preseason, Sydney lost Xavier Cooks to a foot injury expected to sideline him for three to four months and signed Tom Vodanovich (via New Zealand) as an injury replacement.

On September 3, Kickert re-signed with Sydney on a one-year deal, returning for his third season with the Kings after again providing shooting and experience off the bench during the previous year’s run to the Grand Final. “I’m enjoying the direction the Club is heading and love being a part of it,” he said.

A minor ankle sprain suffered at training on January 15 ruled him out when Sydney opened the season against Cairns the following night and ultimately kept him out of the Kings’ first seven games. Sydney struggled with its reshaped roster during that period, losing three of its first four games and falling to seventh place, while Glover (3.5 points and 3 rebounds across 2 games) suffered a partial ACL sprain in his right knee during Round 2 and did not play again during the season.

Kickert (6 points across 26 games) was named captain for the season and remained Sydney’s veteran backup big once healthy, providing floor spacing and leadership from the bench. After returning from the ankle injury, he had three further non-appearances during the season, with no further injury reason confirmed for those games.

Kickert returned against Adelaide at John Cain Arena on February 21, where Kickert (11 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist) made three three-pointers in 14 minutes off the bench as Sydney defeated the 36ers 94-77. Ware (23 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) and Vasiljevic (22 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists) led the Kings, while Crocker (15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal) was Adelaide’s leading scorer. The win opened Sydney’s NBL Cup campaign, where the Kings went 4-4 before consecutive home victories eventually helped them move into the top four by Round 12.

Kickert’s best scoring game came against South East Melbourne at Qudos Bank Arena on April 15, where Kickert (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists) made six of eight shots and all three of his three-pointers as Sydney defeated the Phoenix 97-90. With Sydney missing two of its top three scorers, Kickert ignited a game-changing run after the Kings fell seven points behind during the second quarter, scoring 11 consecutive points himself and adding 11 points in the third period as Sydney turned the deficit into a 21-point lead. Louzada (28 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) and Newley (17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals) joined him in carrying the offence, while Mauriohooho-Le’afa (29 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 steals) led South East Melbourne. The victory snapped Sydney’s two-game losing streak.

Sydney continued to deal with major roster changes during the second half of the season, with Vasiljevic suffering a ruptured Achilles in April and Louzada later leaving (to New Orleans) to join the Pelicans. Jarrad Weeks (via New Zealand) was signed as Glover’s injury replacement, while Cooks eventually returned in May after spending most of the season recovering from his foot injury.

Martin (17.9 points and 7 rebounds across 28 games) narrowly led Sydney in scoring ahead of Ware (17.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists across 36 games), while Vasiljevic (15.4 points and 3.6 rebounds across 21 games), Cooks (10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds across 8 games), Hunter (9 points and 6.3 rebounds across 36 games), Louzada (8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds across 20 games), Bruce (6.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists across 35 games), Newley (6.4 points and 3.7 rebounds across 34 games) and Moller (6.4 points and 5.7 rebounds across 36 games) were the other main contributors. Kickert also provided an important mentoring role for Hunter during his breakout season.

Ware was selected to the All-NBL Second Team and won both the Kings’ Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards, Martin was named Members’ Player of the Year and Moller received the Coaches’ Award, while Bruce and Hunter shared Players’ Player honours. Hunter finished runner-up to Sam Froling for the NBL’s Most Improved Player award, while Vasiljevic finished runner-up to Josh Giddey for Rookie of the Year.

Sydney’s perimeter shooting remained one of its biggest weaknesses at 33.4 percent from three, while a stretch of five losses across seven games pushed the Kings outside the playoff positions after they had established themselves inside the top four. Sydney recovered late and entered the final week still chasing South East Melbourne for the final playoff position.

Following the season, Kickert announced his retirement at Sydney’s awards dinner, ending a professional career which had lasted more than 15 years across Europe and Australia. His ankle remained an issue throughout his final season and played a role in his decision to retire. “After I did my ankle in the preseason, it never got back close to where I wanted it to be,” he said.

Kickert’s final game came against Brisbane at Qudos Bank Arena on June 5, where Kickert (10 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) celebrated his 200th NBL game as Sydney defeated the Bullets 83-82. Martin (28 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals) and Ware (14 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) led the Kings, while Sobey (22 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists) was Brisbane’s best. The victory completed Sydney’s three-game winning streak, but South East Melbourne retained the final playoff position and Sydney finished fifth with a 19-17 record.

Daniel Kickert played seven seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Melbourne United, Brisbane Bullets and Sydney Kings. He averaged 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 199 NBL games.