Gattorna Signs on With Sydney

The Sydney Kings have signed Isaac Gattorna as a development player for the upcoming season.

The forward has impressed in his NBL1 West campaign with the Perth Redbacks, ahead of his newest opportunity at NBL level, averaging almost 20 points per game. 

23-year-old Gattorna, who played his junior basketball with Perry Lakes, heads to Sydney on a one-year deal after a stint with the Adelaide 36ers last season.

Gattorna joins the Kings just one day after the side announced the re-signing of fellow development player Ignatius Mitchell.

He says he's excited to get underway at his new club.

"This amazing opportunity all came out of the blue after Fleur [McIntyre] watched a couple of my NBL1 games out west and I spoke a couple of times to Luc Longley on the phone - I'm stoked how it's all worked out," Gattorna said. 

"The way the Kings carry themselves as an organisation and the approach Chase [Buford] has to the game really attracted me to the club, as it aligns very closely to mine and the way I like to play basketball.

"My previous stop in Adelaide with C.J [Bruton] was great, especially helping with the mental side of being a professional athlete, including knowing the plays for each position, and I honestly believe I can build on that, along with other facets of my game, here in Sydney - who I'm confident can help me fulfil my potential as a player.

"I got a little taste of playing in the NBL last season and I'm really keen to work towards getting more minutes on the court and prove I can play at this level, while also helping the Kings defend their title."

Gattorna, Mitchell and fellow development player Jackson Makoi will complement the rest of Buford's roster of Xavier Cooks, Dejan Vasiljevic, Shaun Bruce, Angus Glover, Derrick Walton Jr, Justin Simon, Tim Soares, Jaylin Galloway, Jordan Hunter, Kouat Noi and Biwali Bayles - who tipped off their pre-season training on Monday, August 22.