The Sydney Kings announced the signing of Cooks, son of Hawks assistant coach Eric Cooks, on Wednesday afternoon. The 24-year-old joins the club for the remainder of the 2019-19 season on a multi-year deal after being released by French team SIG Strasbourg.

The Hawks are yet to replace their injured import Aaron Brooks, who tore his Achilles during a game against Perth last month. In a statement, also released on Wednesday, the Hawks wrote that would continue to search for a replacement.

"The club has had negotiations with multiple import and local players, which have fallen through in recent weeks," they wrote.

"Whilst the search is ongoing, ultimately the development and chemistry of the current roster will take priority. The club is reluctant to bring in a player unless they are the right fit for the playing group and the culture of the club."

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It has already been a big year for Wollongong junior Cooks, who was called up to the Australian Boomers squad for the FIBA World Cup.

Cooks said he was "super excited" to join the Kings and part of an "organisation that's very professional".

"I've been around the league for a lot of years watching my dad from a distance and I've seen the very high standards that the Kings hold themselves to," he said.

"I'm just hoping to be able to come in and fill in the small pieces. I hustle for the ball, I rebound well, I push the ball in transition, but I think my main strength is my versatility so whatever this team needs me to do I'm going to do it."

Kings chief executive Chris Pongrass said the club was pleased to sign Cooks.

"Xavier is an outstanding young man with a long, promising career ahead of him for both Australia and the Sydney Kings," he said.

"We expect him to help our team this season and be an important part of our roster moving into next season."

More to come.

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