NBL
Daniel Gilhooly 5y

Sydney Kings lure star guard Casper Ware

NBL

The Sydney Kings have made the first powerhouse move of the NBL off-season, snaring star American point guard Casper Ware from Melbourne United.

Ware has ended three seasons in Melbourne, where he was named in the All-NBL First Team on each occasion and spearheaded their drought-breaking charge to the title in 2017-18.

This season he averaged 18.8 points and 4.4 assists per game as Melbourne reached the grand final for a second straight year.

He will link with Sydney's new coach Will Weaver, who had an assistant role at the Philadelphia 76ers when Ware had a brief NBA playing role there in 2014.

"It's a rare privilege to team up again with one of the most enjoyable people I've ever coached," Weaver said.

"Clearly, adding a player of Casper's calibre is exciting for our team but we are equally pleased to benefit from his competitiveness, character, and selfless mindset."

Ware, who is playing in Poland, has forged a reputation for clutch baskets to win games.

He hopes to hold a key finishing role for his new club and won't be afraid to be the go-to man late in games against Melbourne.

"It was a big decision I had to make, but this is a new challenge for me and I'm excited to get stuck into it," he said.

"I'll always respect the time I had in Melbourne because of winning a championship there, but with Will and Andrew (Bogut) and the roster they are putting together at Sydney, I'm excited about what's ahead."

Ware joins Bogut, Kevin Lisch, Brad Newley, Daniel Kickert and Jordan Hunter as contracted players for next season.

Ware's arrival almost certainly spells the end of Jerome Randle's two seasons at the Kings, with the Americans sharing a similiar back court style.

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