Kings Lock In NBL24 Head Coach

The Sydney Kings have found their new leader, with former Houston Rockets assistant Mahmoud Abdelfattah named as the club’s head coach for NBL24.

Abdelfattah has joined the Kings and will replace two-time championship winning coach Chase Buford, who left the club to pursue NBA opportunities at the end of last season.

Abdelfattah was named as an assistant at the Rockets following a successful stint with the club’s G-League affiliate – the Rio Grande Valley Vipers – over a four-year period.

He was was a member of the staff that took the side to the 2019 G-League title.

Abdelfattah added another G-League title to his resume – this time as head coach – in 2022, and was also named the competition’s Coach of the Year, following in former NBL coaches Scott Morrison and Will Weaver’s footsteps.

"To get the opportunity to coach the Kings, on the back of their amazing track record over the past few seasons, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, is amazing," said the 34-year-old.

"Honestly, outside of the US, the NBL is the league that most resembles the NBA, in terms of style and developmental systems – which is important to me, as I want all players to fulfil their potential, be that Australia or taking to next step to the NBA.

"After speaking with both Chase [Buford] and Will [Weaver], both loved their experience in Sydney and raved about how phenomenal the organisation is, it felt like the perfect next step in my career."

Kings chairman and co-owner Paul Smith says the club came to the decision to hire Abdelfattah after undertaking an extensive search for their new head coach.

"The club conducted a detailed global search for its new head coach,” Smith said. "Ultimately, we were asking candidates to relocate from around the world to Sydney. 

"Not only is Mahmoud clearly an outstanding coach, but he demonstrated an enormous appetite to discover and embrace the notion of coaching in the NBL and the cultural diversity that is the hallmark of our city."

"Our front office conducted a long and intricate coaching search, which makes us even more confident in our appointment of Mahmoud as the face of the organisation," club CEO Chris Pongrass added.

"A remarkable basketball mind, he sees the game differently to others – he is creative and innovative from an on-court, tactical sense, and has a strong background in player development.  

"As a leader, Mahmoud has proven success and we received an outpouring of support from players and colleagues.  

 "I am excited to get to work with Mahmoud as we continue to build out our roster.   

"We welcome Mahmoud and Janine to the Kings family and look forward to having them join us in Sydney soon."

His appointment comes after the Kings completed the high-profile signing of former Philadelphia 76er Jonah Bolden.