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Kings sign Lamonte Turner in push for NBL finals

Jasper BruceAAP
US point guard Lamonte Turner (top) is set to dive into the NBL with the Sydney Kings. (AP PHOTO)
Camera IconUS point guard Lamonte Turner (top) is set to dive into the NBL with the Sydney Kings. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP

The Sydney Kings will hope the mid-season signing of American guard Lamonte Turner can boost their push to the NBL play-offs.

Turner joins Brian Goorjian's new-look roster as the third and final import after Jaylen Adams and Cam Oliver, who have been part of the side from the opening tip-off.

He will play his first game for the Kings against fellow championship hopefuls Melbourne United this Thursday.

"I have no doubt he will make everyone else on our team better while complimenting their abilities," said Goorjian.

Turner is the Kings' nominated replacement for local Jaylin Galloway, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during his first campaign back from a brief stint with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 27-year-old will join a front-court rotation spearheaded by former NBL MVP Adams, and also featuring Kiwi signing Izayah Le'Afa and veteran King Shaun Bruce.

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The Kings see him as a pass-first point guard who can ease the pressure on Adams.

Turner played college basketball for the University of Tennessee, the alma mater of NBA players Grant Williams and Tobias Harris, and won south-eastern conference sixth man of the year in 2018.

He has played his entire professional career to date in Europe, most recently representing Serbian club FMP.

"I believe I can bring an extra spark and new energy to the group, which I hope my teammates can feed off," said Turner.

"We've already got a strong roster in place and I believe I can be a good complimentary piece to that."

The Kings have a 13-9 record ahead of their upcoming clash with United, having come from behind to beat South East Melbourne and Brisbane in their last two games.

The win over Brisbane lifted the Kings to third on the ladder behind United and local rivals the Illawarra Hawks.

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