Sydney Kings' Xavier Cooks slapped with doping ban on eve of NBL finals

Sydney Kings star Xavier Cooks has been dealt a provisional suspension due to a failed performance-enhancing drugs test in a major blow to the NBL franchise just two days out from the start of its finals campaign.

Basketball Australia said Sport Integrity Australia told Cooks he returned an adverse analytical finding and potentially violated Australia's national anti-doping policy.

Cooks' suspension is effective immediately, meaning the power forward will not be available for the Kings' finals clash with the Adelaide 36ers in Sydney on Thursday night.

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Wide World of Sports contacted SIA for comment but the government agency declined.

Cooks was crowned grand final MVP in 2022 and league MVP in 2023, playing a crucial role for the Kings as they secured consecutive NBL championships.

The 29-year-old is ranked second in blocks this season (1.29 per match) and fourth in rebounds (8.71).

He's also averaged the second-highest number of points for the Kings per game this season with his tally of 15.4 only topped by Jaylen Adams.

Cooks went tantalisingly close to representing the Boomers at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Ahead of both Games he made the Boomers' initial squad but not the final cut.