Kendric Davis Delayed: Passport Issue Holds Up Sydney Kings Star
Kendric Davis, the reigning NBL Finals MVP, is stranded in the United States due to an administrative passport issue, delaying his return to the Sydney Kings just one week before the NBL Blitz, according to reporting revealed by CODE Sports.
Passport Delays Threaten Sydney Kings Preparation
The Sydney Kings face a tight window to integrate their star guard ahead of the pre-season schedule. Davis, 27, was originally scheduled to arrive in Sydney and commence training several weeks ago. A club representative described the delay as an “administration issue that we are working through as quick as we can.”
This administrative setback forced Davis to miss a pre-season match against the Illawarra Hawks. That game was ultimately abandoned midway through the second quarter due to a wet court. Despite the missed time, the club expects the reigning champion to arrive in Australia this week, targeting an appearance at the NBL Blitz where the Kings face the South East Melbourne Phoenix at Red Energy Arena on Wednesday, September 2 at 8pm.
Adelaide 36ers Secure Injury Replacement for Bul Kuol
While Sydney manages its backcourt logistics, the Adelaide 36ers are actively restructuring their roster to insulate against a long-term injury. Following the offseason acquisition of Bul Kuol, the club confirmed that the defensive player is still working through rehabilitation after suffering an ACL injury against Adelaide in Round 15 of last season.
Kuol is not expected to return to the floor until late December under new head coach Trevor Gleeson. To maintain depth through the early stretch of the campaign, the 36ers are signing forward Jacob Rigoni as an Injury Replacement Player, according to sources cited by Fox Sports Australia. Rigoni, 27, previously played 12 games for the franchise between 2023 and 2025 and comes off a season with the Sturt Sabres in NBL1 Central, where he averaged 22.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.
As the NBL Blitz approaches, both the Kings and the 36ers must navigate these personnel roadblocks under strict roster regulations.
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