Twelve months ago, Xavier Cooks was facing one of the darkest periods of his career.
A positive test to a recreational drug sidelined the reigning NBL MVP for a month, threw the Sydney Kings’ championship push into chaos and left serious questions about his future, reputation and standing within the game.
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Now, he’s back where it matters most.
As captain of the Kings, Cooks will enter the NBL Grand Final with a chance to secure a third championship – a remarkable turnaround from where he found himself just a year ago.
But while redemption is the obvious narrative from the outside, the 30-year-old says his perspective has shifted.
“I think the first word that comes to my head is just grateful. Grateful to be back in this position playing basketball,” Cooks told Fox Sports Australia.
In reflecting on the past 12 months, Cooks admitted the experience tested him both professionally and personally, as he navigated public scrutiny and internal reflection.
“You’re right, looking back 12 months ago was one of the lowest of lows for me and dealing with all that public perception and all that kind of stuff. I’m just glad to be back playing high-level basketball again.
“And even this year, I’m just so proud of our team, just the way that we’ve had so much adversity with injuries. We lost Keli (Leaupepe) and (Jason) Spurgin in the pre-season, we lost Bul (Kuol) to an ACL, we lost (Tyler) Robbo to a shoulder injury.
“We’ve been dealing with so many injuries and the boys have really stuck the course.”
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Given the circumstances surrounding his suspension, it would have been understandable if trust within the organisation had been strained.
Instead, Cooks says the response from the Kings was the complete opposite.
Rather than isolate him, the club doubled down on its support – a defining moment that ultimately led to him being entrusted with the captaincy.
“It meant a lot to me to know that the Kings thought so highly of me enough to pick me in this role (captain) and this position. I think when this happened, you’re right, the club could have been pointing fingers and trying to really distance themselves from me,” Cooks said.
“And I feel that’s exactly what the opposite of the club did. They really put their arms around me and made me feel like this is my real home.
“And like all children, we make mistakes, even though I’m not a child. They’ve taken me back with full arms and it starts with Goorj (coach Brian Goorjian).
“When the moment it happened, meeting with him, to guys like Delly (Matthew Dellavedova) coming in to people like that who’ve come a long way.”
Now 30, with two championships, an MVP, a Finals MVP and NBA experience behind him, Cooks has already built a decorated career.
But this Grand Final carries extra weight – not for personal redemption, but for the people around him.
“I feel like every time you get into a Grand Final, you give it 110 per cent. This year, I’ve got a lot of reasons why I want to win it,” Cooks said.
“It is not all about myself, I want to have a big part in Goorj’s chapter.
“I want one of the all-time greats (Dellavedova) to have a ring with him and guys like KD (Kendric Davis), (Shaun) Brucey and guys on my team who I love.
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“I don’t think this year’s personal, I think I’m going to approach it the same way, 110 per cent.”
There’s also the looming question of Goorjian’s future.
At 72, with six championships and seven Coach of the Year awards, this run could – however unlikely – be his last.
Cooks isn’t buying into that narrative.
“I mean, that’s past my thinking. I can’t think about next season,” he said.
“I doubt that’s going to be Goorj’s farewell, that man’s going to be on the court forever. He loves his game so much but if it was, it’d be a crazy way to go out, especially this year.”
Regardless, Cooks was quick to highlight the coaching masterclass behind this Kings run.
“I mean, Goorj has had a ridiculous career as it is. But even this year, to be able to find the identity of this team and rally the boys behind it and there’s been, like I said, dealing with so many injuries, that’s tough on a coach.
“And even coming into this year, having so many ball-dominant players and trying to figure out that dynamics, it would be great to have a championship with him,” Cooks said.
Standing in their way is the Adelaide 36ers.
Game One tips off Saturday night, with the Kings entering as favourites – thanks largely to their depth and star power, both on full display in their semi-final win over the Perth Wildcats.
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“I mean, we’re a very talented bunch and we have a lot of and we’re still talking about this, we’re dealing with all the injuries we’ve dealt with. Guys like Bul Kuol, marquee player going down and we still have enough talent,” Cooks said.
With home court advantage and momentum on their side, the Kings are well positioned.
But for Cooks, this series is about more than basketball.
It’s about perspective, loyalty and proving that even after the lowest moments, the best stories can still be written.
A third championship is within reach and this time, it might mean more than ever.