Kings captain Cooks receives second drug ban

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Sydney Kings championship captain Xavier Cooks has been handed a drug ban for the second time in less than two years after testing positive for THC, just months after leading the NBL franchise to the 2025-26 title.

The Kings released a statement saying "in accordance with the Australian National Anti-doping Policy 2021, Xavier Cooks was issued with a one-month period of ineligibility by Basketball Australia which concluded on 4 July 2026," the statement read.

"This was issued as a result of an in-competition doping control test and the metabolite of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was detected."

As the three-time NBL championship star has already served his one-month ban, he won't miss any games for the Kings and has resumed pre-season training.

However, it is the second time the 30-year-old has received an anti-doping ban from Sport Integrity Australia after serving a suspension, which ended on March 7, 2025 and forced him to miss a play-in game that the Kings lost to the Adelaide 36ers and ended their 2024-25 season.

“I want to sincerely apologise to my teammates, our fans, the club, and everyone who has supported me. I take full responsibility for my actions and understand the disappointment and frustration this has caused," Cooks said in the Kings' statement.

"I am grateful to Hoops Capital for the support they have continued to provide me throughout this process.”

CEO of Hoops Capital, Mark Thompson, also commented on Cooks' ban.

“We acknowledge and respect the outcome of the Basketball Australia and Sport Integrity Australia process," he said in the statement.

"We hold ourselves to strong professional standards. When those standards are not met, we respond appropriately and work to ensure our people receive the support, education and guidance they need – not only through the successes but also the challenges that come with professional sport.

"Xavier has completed his period of ineligibility and is back on court with his teammates as pre-season commences. Our focus is now on supporting him and the team as we prepare for the upcoming season.”

Cooks and the Kings start their title defence against the Cairns Taipans on September 20 at Afterpay Arena, while the NBL Blitz pre-season tournament is in Bendigo from September 2-6 at red Energy Arena.