Damien Ryan inks with Kings

The ‘resurrected’ Sydney Kings continue to add valuable pieces to their roster and staff ensuring both the short and long term objectives of the organisation are met.

The Kings announced today a major player signing in Australian Squad member Damien Ryan, who will fill one of the starting guard positions for Sydney.  Ryan’s experience, veteran status and scoring ability will provide both a steady and explosive piece to the team roster.

Damien Ryan comes to the Kings after a six-year stint playing in Europe, primarily in the tough Italian professional league.  After a breakout season with the Brisbane Bullets in 2003 averaging 18.4 points and 4.5 rebounds, the then 23 year-old, 6’4” shooting guard headed to the competitive European leagues where he continued to hone his skills and build his reputation.  He can play the point guard position and his long range shooting ability will easily adapt to the increased three-point line in the upcoming NBL season.

The NBL Rookie of the Year in 1999 is excited at joining the Kings in their return to the NBL.

“I have been looking for the right opportunity to return from Europe and rejoin the NBL competition. The proud history of the Kings, the city of Sydney, and the revamped NBL competition all combined for the ingredients I have been looking for,” said Ryan.  “The addition of Conner Henry, who I played for shortly in 2006/NBL season, the style Coach Ian Robilliard will instil in the programme, and the excitement to be a part in the resurrection of the iconic Sydney Kings were added  incentives to return to Australia now,” he added.

Joining Head Coach Ian Robilliard as the full-time assistant coach is former Boston Celtic NBA player Conner Henry.  Part time assistant Tim Hudson and full time Team Manager Laurie Watterson will also join the off-court team.

The pedigree of Conner Henry makes him one of most prominent basketball identities to participate in Australian basketball.  The former college teammate of NBL star Scott Fisher at University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB), Conner was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 1986 before joining the famed Boston Celtics that same year.  Announced to join the Kings on the eve of yet another NBA Finals series between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, Conner knows that rivalry and tradition all too well having played in the classic 1987 NBA Finals series between Boston and LA where the Celtics lost the NBA Championship to the Lakers.

“Putting on that Boston singlet was one of the most special honours in my entire playing career.  That tradition and culture the Celtics built has been a major motivating factor for me to join the Kings with Coach Robilliard laying out his plans on how we will build a similar culture in the Kings organisation,” said Henry. 

The 6’7” former point guard joined Scott Fisher at the Perth Wildcats after ten seasons playing professionally in Europe and replaced Fisher as the Head Coach of Perth in the 2008/09 season.

The Head Coach experience Henry had with Perth will be a huge boost to our coaching staff in the return of the Kings to the NBL,” said Kings Head Coach Ian Robilliard.  “His professionalism to make players better and the commitment to the programme he has shown me is another major piece to make the Kings a force in our first year back.

“I am very excited to be a part of the Sydney Kings franchise for the upcoming 2010/2011 season,” said Henry.  “As a member of the Kings family I’m looking forward to helping reestablish the pride and camaraderie that for so many years was part of the Sydney Kings landscape.  Bob Turner and Moose have set the course for the Kings to pursue their 4th NBL Championship and I’m hoping my experience within the NBL will help us reach the franchises goals,” he added.

Former Kings player and assistant coach under Brian Goorjian, Tim Hudson, has been added to the Kings staff as the part time assistant.  Tim has been a valuable acquisition to the coaching staff in the recruitment of the team and the trials recently conducted by the Kings.  Team Manger Laurie Watterson was the former manager of the Kings under Brian Goorjian and his veteran status and knowledge is another valuable addition to the Kings staff both on and off the court.

Team training will start in earnest early August in preparation for the Kings’ return to the famed ‘KingDome’, Sydney Entertainment Centre, on the 16th of October.  ‘Early Bird’ season ticket sales have been exceptional with almost 1,000 people registering for tickets.  For further team, ticket and sponsor information go to www.sydneykings.com.