Two-Time Championship King Departs

The Sydney Kings have announced two-time championship-winning guard Dejan Vasiljevic has exercised the NBA and Europe out in his contract and will explore overseas endeavours in the coming season.

After three seasons and 88 appearances for the Kings, the 26-year-old sharpshooter said now was the perfect time to try his hand at playing overseas.

"It was a difficult decision to exercise the option, but when you have won two championships at my age, an opportunity overseas is hard to pass up on," Vasiljevic said.

"I had a long and in-depth conversation with Chris Pongrass and Luc Longley, and they fully supported the decision as they want me to achieve my goals. 

"When you’ve got people like that pushing you to go and explore these opportunities, along with my family being from Europe, it’s hard to pass up on the opportunity."

During his time in the purple and gold, the Australian Boomer averaged 13.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game – while also becoming one of the competition's premier three-point shooters.

Upon reflecting on his time at the harbour city side, the University of Miami alum explained 'the Kings meant everything to him'.

"The club took me in with open arms, gave me my first professional contract, and three years later, I’m a two-time back-to-back champ - something a lot of people cannot say," the Canadian-born guard said.

"They’ve provided me with great coaches over my time; Will Weaver, Adam Forde and Chase Buford, along with all the assistants, who allowed me to be myself. 

"The Sydney Kings organisation will forever hold a place in my heart and if I was to ever return to play in the NBL, there’s only one team, the Kings."

And it wasn't just the coaching staff – who he said allowed him to play the game the right way and put him in positions to succeed as a shooter - that Vasiljevic credited and wanted to thank for getting him to where he is today.

"Honestly everyone has played a part and it starts with the people at the top - to Chris Pongrass, Paul Smith, Andrew Bogut, Luc Longley thank you for providing me with a chance to develop and help bring Sydney two championships," the Victorian junior said.

"To my teammates, I’ve created a friendship bond with each one and will cherish that forever, and can’t wait to follow each one’s career, especially those chasing that three-peat.

"In saying that, my two biggest thankyous for my time in the Hoops Capital are to firstly the fans.

"From seeing only five to six thousand fans at Qudos Bank Arena my first season to selling out the entire arena in back-to-back games of the finals this past season - that’s the reason we as players play the game of basketball.

"Lastly, a big shout-out goes to David Hillard, the physio for the Kings. 

"After rupturing my Achilles, my rookie year, he dedicated all his time and energy into getting me back to being the player I am today, so my biggest thank you is to him."

Vasiljevic finished by saying “this isn’t a goodbye forever but a see you later to the Hoops Capital of Australian basketball, and as always Pack The Q”.

Kings CEO Chris Pongrass thanked Vasiljevic for his amazing service to the Kings and wished him all the best with the next stage of his career.

“A two-time NBL champion, Australian Boomer representative, record holder (tied; most three-pointers in the 40-minute era) and fan-favourite – DJ will forever be entrenched in the rich history of our club," Pongrass said.

"To achieve what he has at such an early stage in his career is rare and we have been lucky to have him with us for three years.

"It was a proud moment watching him return from such a devastating Achilles injury to being an NBL champion not 12 months later.

"Ever since I first met DJ, he has been open and honest about his ambitions to one day play in the NBA and high-level Europe.

"We are totally supportive of his decision to chase those goals now – timing is everything in this business, and you have to jump at an opportunity when it presents itself.

"We always want the best for our players, coaches and staff, and this is no different.

"He is a talented young man, an elite shooter and someone who I personally want to see succeed in everything he does - DJ will forever be a King and I am confident we will see him in the purple and gold in the future.

"We thank DJ and his family for all they have contributed to the Sydney Kings."