The NBL and Sydney Kings released statements on Friday in relation to coach Chase Buford’s suspension for the round 13 fixture with Tasmania at Qudos Bank Arena.

The NBL’s release states:

Sydney Kings’ coach Chase Buford is ineligible to participate in Friday’s match against the Tasmania JackJumpers after breaching a one-game suspended sentence from last season.

Buford is deemed to have acted outside the Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League’s code of conduct following the Kings’ round 11 match against the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Traralgon on December 18.

An investigation by an NBL integrity officer was undertaken and the Kings were invited to make a submission.

The NBL was satisfied a breach had occurred which subsequently triggered Buford’s suspended sentence.

Last season Buford received a single-match suspension that was suspended until the completion of the 2022/23 NBL season for a breach of the NBL code of conduct.

In response, the Sydney Kings’ release says:

The Sydney Kings will accept the one-match suspension handed to coach Chase Buford by the NBL for Friday’s game against the Tasmania JackJumpers at Qudos Bank Arena. 

The Kings will look forward to Coach Buford’s return for Wednesday’s home game against South East Melbourne. 

Assistant coach Kevin Lisch will assume the head coaching responsibilities for the round 13 clash with the JackJumpers.

The club will make no further comment at this time.