Sydney Kings Head Coach Andrew Gaze made a surprising announcement today that he will be leaving the ball club at the end of the 2019 NBL Finals.  Gaze informed Kings management of his decision to step down on Monday night.

Speculation is rife that Gaze is considering a move back to Melbourne to be closer to his family.

The high profile coaching job in Sydney carries a lot of weight and heavy expectations. Even for a legend like Gaze, the pressure might have taken a toll on him.

He will be leaving the club in good hands. After three rollercoaster seasons, Gaze has finally brought relevance back to the club with a playoff appearance. It would be a great way to exit the club on a high note.

The Kings confirmed that it is a “mutual decision” between Gaze and the team.

“The Club thanks Andrew, an icon of Australian basketball, for his commitment to the Sydney Kings,” the team’s interim CEO, Paul Kind, said. “He has invested passionately in his role as our head coach and we respect his desire to return to Melbourne at the end of our season.”

Gaze will be finishing up his three-year deal with the Kings after this season. Aussiehoopla understands that his partner-in-crime, Kings assistant coach and recently-inducted Hall of Famer Lanard Copeland, has not yet made up his decision.

Gaze will be coaching his first and last playoff series for the Kings against Melbourne United this Thursday night.

The question now stands: who will replace Andrew Gaze next season? A number of highly-credentialed names are popping up. Catch our next article shortly.