JUST when everyone though the Sydney Kings were losing a former league MVP, they added one right back for their upcoming campaign.

It was announced on Wednesday that star guard Jaylen Adams would be returning to the reigning NBL champions, just one year after departing the team for international opportunities. He has signed a one-year deal with the team, and will be eager to get back to his best, which saw him take home a plethora of awards just over a year ago.

The addition of Adams eases the blow of the team losing reigning NBL MVP Xavier Cooks, with the guard now set to be the focal point on offence for the Kings for the upcoming 2023/24 season.

Adams exploded as one of the stars of the competition during the 2021/22 fixture, taking control of one of the best sides in the competition and delivering some insane numbers in the process. He averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists during his first season in the NBL.

As a result of those numbers, Adams was awarded the league’s highest individual honour, as well as being named to the All-NBL first team too.

Adams then spent time with Serbian team KK Crvena Zvezda and Chinese side Qingdao Eagles, but has opted to return to the Kings to further his career, having previously thrived at NBL level.

He delivered a plethora of highlights, including a huge game-winning dunk to single-handedly defeat the Brisbane Bullets down the stretch.

His season ended prematurely due to a hamstring injury in game one of the NBL grand final series, but his impact on the season was prominent nonetheless and he was still crowned an NBL champion.

He will be paired with the team’s other big name import in DJ Hogg, with the pair forming a seriously intimidating duo for the upcoming season. Given each player is more than capable of posting 20+ points on any given night, opposition defences are going to have their hands full each time they take on Sydney.

Adams is also a strong defender, able to take on the opposition’s best guards, and will replace Derrick Walton Jr in that sense too.

An athletic guard with the ability to knock down a long range shot and facilitate for his teammates, Adams further launches the Kings into the championship race with his star power, having proven himself at NBL level in the past.