'He's the Coach of the Year': NBL champ backs King

The South East Melbourne Phoenix have been one of the competition's pleasant surprise packets this season, comfortably sitting at 14-7 through the first 15 rounds.

A large part of the third-placed Phoenix's success has been credited to the exceptional play of Nathan Sobey, John Brown III, Jordi Hunter and Angus Glover.

Another element is the incredible coaching by Josh King, who has a 63 per cent winning record (30-17) since joining the Heartland Club midway through NBL25.

The latter isn't going unnoticed either, with 2009 NBL champion Mark Worthington calling King the "Coach of the Year".

"Josh King, for me, would arguably be Coach of the Year, with what he's been able to do so far this season with his roster," Worthington said on a recent NBL Now episode.

"I had very low expectations on what they would able to do [this season], but he has proven me very wrong this season and what they've gone and done.

"Mike Wells, as his team is on top of the ladder, is in the conversation as is Brian Goorjian, especially after the Kings' turnaround recently, but King is my pick as of right now."

Coincidentally, King and his Phoenix side's next outing comes against Sydney, fresh off a rare recent loss in Adelaide.

Monday's Round 15 clash between the Kings and Phoenix at Qudos Bank Arena, tips off at 7.30pm AEDT, live on ESPN.