'He's the greatest': Goorjian solidifies legacy with seventh title

With a record seventh Hungry Jack’s NBL championship to his name now, the incredible resume of Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian is as good as any in Australian sport.

Not only are those seven titles the highest by any coach in NBL history, but Goorjian has only missed the post-season on two occasions in his 26 years at the helm of a team.

The 72-year-old has also won 68.5 per cent of his games (598 out of 873) in the NBL, while also guiding the Australian Boomers to their historic bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

With this in mind, NBL commentator Felix Von Hofe posed the question as to where Goorjian ranks among the all-time greats of Australian sport.

NRL legends Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy have seven and five premierships to their names respectively, while Jock McHale (eight), Norm Smith (six) and Leigh Matthews (four) rank highly in the AFL/VFL world.

1990 Derek Rucker ranked Goorjian right at the top of the coaching summit.

“If he [Goorjian] is not in your top three, you're crazy,” Rucker said on Monday’s NBL Overtime.

“I have him as the greatest. I've said this for a number of years. Now, who competes with him? Wayne Bennett ... Craig Bellamy.

“There might be some AFL guys, but the only problem in the AFL,  they don't necessarily get the longevity that you get in the NRL, or that you get in the NBL.”

Rucker’s thoughts were echoed by 2019 NBL champion Pete Hooley.

“The kicker for Goorj is the international [achievements] including that bronze medal,” Hooley said.

“There's no doubt about where he stands in the NBL, with those seven championships and that winning record.”

Not only is the record impressive, so is the longevity, with there being 34 years between his first and seven NBL crowns.

“The most amazing thing through it all is the game has changed so much from 1992 to 2026,” Von Hofe said.

“That is a whole different ball game to what they were playing back then, so for him to still be able to have such success [is incredible].”

Rucker, who played against numerous Goorjian-led teams, including Eastside, South East Melbourne, Victoria and Sydney, during his career, echoed Von Hofe’s point about the seven-time Coach of the Year’s adaptability.

“You talk about change, and how he's been able to evolve [since his first title to now],” Rucker said.

“You know what hasn't changed? His enthusiasm and his passion and his love of the basketball game and always trying to figure out how to be a better coach and improve the lives of his players.”