NBL1 West champions re-signs with Sydney

Isaac Gattorna will return to the Sydney Kings as an NBL1 West champion.

Coming off the NBL23 championship in Sydney, Gattorna returned to the Geraldton Buccaneers and was a key piece in bringing them the West title. 

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The WA product averaged 16.8 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Buccaneers this past season. In the NBL1 National Finals, Gattorna took it to the next level, scoring 25 points and 13 rebounds against Sutherland and matching his point total with nine rebounds against Ipswich the day after.

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Gattorna reaped the benefit of the Kings’ development program for this past NBL1 season and spoke highly of what it’s done for him in his career. 

"From a development perspective, I think Sydney has the best people in and around their system to help me achieve my own goals," he told the Sydney Kings. 

"[There's] just a lot of experience between everyone involved and I really enjoy being around all the people too."

The 24-year-old believes his Buccaneers season will set him up for his best NBL season to date.

"It was a massive benefit being able to go play and have freedom for the off-season with the Buccs - allowing me to work on areas I wouldn’t usually get as much of a chance to at the next level," he said.

"Especially compared to last season, coming into pre-season with an injury - it’s just exciting being at full health and hitting the floor running."

Kings coach Mahmoud Abdelfattah said he is excited to bring in Gattorna's level of talent into the Kings' group in NBL24.

"Isaac is familiar with this organisation and all the players, having been here last season, so he knows what's expected to be a King," Abdelfattah said.

"Everyone I've spoken to has raved about his work ethic and how he gets the best out of everyone each time he steps on the court and pushes people to be the best version of themselves, which is a great asset for us to have."