Kings Assistant Returning to US

Thursday, June 15, 2023

"The Kings, including the ownership group, have obviously been a huge part of my development as both a player and coach, as well as a person off it."

The Sydney Kings have announced two-time championship winning assistant coach Kevin Lisch has departed the club to pursue opportunities outside of basketball in the United States.

Lisch initially came to the NBL as a player for the Perth Wildcats in 2009, and over the course of his NBL playing career, the Illinois-born guard established himself as one of the league’s top talents.

He won the league's MVP award with Perth in 2012 and Illawarra in 2016, and also added a title with the Wildcats in his first professional season.

He spent four seasons as a rostered player at the Kings before moving into the coaching ranks in 2020.

Lisch also took control of the Kings for one game in NBL24 due to a suspension to head coach Chase Buford. It was a game which the Kings went on to win by 20 points.

“It’s been an unbelievable journey, and to see the growth of the club during that time – from the so-called ‘dog days’ to the ‘glory days’ now with two championships has been fulfilling and really fun to see,” Lisch said.

“The Kings, including the ownership group, have obviously been a huge part of my development as both a player and coach, as well as a person off it.

“Although it will be surreal to not be a part of the NBL for the first time since 2009, I’ll definitely be keeping tabs on the Kings and the whole NBL, which has grown into this amazing product and will continue to do so.”

“Kev is easily one of the calming and most humble people I have had the pleasure of working with,” Kings CEO Chris Pongrass added. “While it is sad to see him leave us, I’m looking forward for Kev and his family to return back to the US and pursue their next stage of life.”