Cotton, now Anthony: Davis welcomes every rivalry

Since the day he first stepped on an NBL court, Kings star Kendric Davis has proven why he is one of the top athletes to ever play in this League.

In his first two seasons, Davis finished MVP runner-up to Bryce Cotton, while leading the Kings to their sixth NBL championship in 2025-26.

Now this season, after claiming this is ‘his League now’ during his Hungry Jack’s NBL26 Championship Series MVP presentation, Davis is averaging 22.9 points and career-best marks in assists (8.4), rebounds (4.1) and steals (1.3), while leading the Kings to a 5-2 record.

So, through the first five rounds, Davis has been walking the walk, but Sunday presents a new challenge in the form of NBA talent Cole Anthony.

During a recent interview with Channel 9’s Wide World of Sports, Davis explained that he isn’t fazed by coming up against Anthony or any of the other elite point guards around the League.

“I feel like this is my League. He [Anthony] is going to be gunning for me, which I love,” Davis said.

“I love competition and don’t shy away from it. What makes me good is what makes me bad. I love competition by any means necessary.

“[He’s] a great player, highly respected and had a great NBA career. I played him in high school at a couple of camps. He’s always been the number one point guard in the country when we were in high school.

“When I got the call [to say Cole Anthony was signing in the NBL], I was like sh*t, that’s good for the League. That’s good for me, it’s good for Bryce, it’s good for everybody. It’s exciting, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Opposing number Anthony, whose United side lost a thriller to Perth on Friday, is desperate to help Melbourne return to the winner’s circle, regardless of who’s in front of him.

“At the end of the day, I’m a competitor and, if you step onto the court on the other team, I’m going to go at whoever’s in front of me, but I try not to get into the individual battles,” Anthony said to CODE Sports.

“This game is one that’s going to be a great test for us.”

As it stands, Anthony sits in third in points per game (23), just edging out Davis (22.9).

Watch the two American guards go head-to-head from 5pm AEDT Sunday, live on ESPN.

Read the full story here >> Cole Anthony on his issues with NBL officials and turning Melbourne United’s season around