Jorge Sigala: Sydney Kings Superfan
As the NBL's popularity continues to soar, loyal fans have been turning out in droves all season to cheer on their favourite teams - and nobody embodies this passion more than Jorge Sigala, Sydney Kings superfan and AUSA Facility member. With the Kings and Breakers competing for the coveted NBL Championship Title in a compelling Game 5 decider tomorrow night at Qudos Bank Arena, we sat down with Jorge to learn more about his passion for hoops and experiences as a loyal supporter of the Kings.
Jorge Sigala at AUSA Facility Alexandria
Take us back, what made you love basketball?
My dad was a professional basketball player back in Mexico. Back in the 70s, early 70s. He was a point guard about my height, so he’d just lob it up to the big guys. Since I was 5-6 years old, my love for the game just continued to grow, but I didn’t haha. Playing pro, that was always my dream growing up.
Who’d you grow up watching?
Larry Bird. That was dad’s favourite player as well. My dad liked the way he played so we watched him play and I grew up on that. I lived in Boston too, I felt like I could resonate with him because he was the slowest guy on the court haha - but his three-point shots were just ridiculous.
How about players currently playing?
I was actually in Canada in November and I got to catch a Toronto Raptors game. They played the Nets so I got to see Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons and Patty Mills. KD was a freak of nature. He’s so thin and lanky but when he shoots, he’ll elevate and the defenders still can’t catch up. It’s ridiculous. Another player I enjoy watching is Steph Curry, he revolutionised the game.
My favourite Kings player is Angus Glover. His tenacity and hunger. It’s matched by his determination off the court. You can tell he wants to be the best he can be.
Angus Glover at AUSA Facility Alexandria
Have you managed to catch him at the Facility? Any stories from the Facility?
Haven’t got the chance to catch Angus Glover at the Facility, but my favourite stories are always catching up with my teammates. We’ll catch up to dissect and analyse the most recent Kings game. We’ll even try to plan strategies for the next game. This is all whilst shooting around or even chilling by the chairs watching others shoot around.
Jorge shares his story with me at AUSA Facility Alexandria
You’re known as Sydney Kings’ super fan, what was your first memory as a fan?
13 years ago I moved from the States to study here at Sydney University. I lived at Chippendale and it was so close to the Entertainment Centre. I had no idea that the Sydney Kings played their games there. I went to a game with some uni buddies. We were at the game and what stood out was that we could move closer to the floor, we could never do that over back in the USA. We got closer to the action and I said to myself “this is really different.” This would’ve been 2011, the Sydney Kings team with Julian Khazzouh. That would have been my first memory with the Kings.
Fast-forward to now, what’s been your favourite Sydney Kings moment?
I was thinking about this question a lot. In the last 2 seasons, I’ve had so many amazing memories. One of them was when we went up to Cairns to watch them play. It was Angus Glover’s 50th game with the Kings. He came up to us and thanked us for watching, that was probably the first time we’ve had that kind of interaction. That was really special. The Jaylen Adams dunk from last season, that really catapulted the Kings to go on that run. So many memories, it’s hard to keep track between the Home and Away games.
Every week there’s something new. We’re forming a community of people that love the game. Everyone from the staff, the players, the fans and the security. There’s a girl named Kellie, we refer to her as “Curtain Kellie” because she’s the one to open and close the curtains when the players go in and out. Even Eric the court announcer, such a great guy. You get to learn more about these people behind the scenes throughout the season. It’s real cool to make friends and connections with people who just love the sport. A kid came up to me asking “King, King could you sign my cast?” Things like that make up those new memories every week.
Jorge watching the Kings courtside
So you go to the Kings’ away games too?
I made a pact that we’d go see all the games, even at the road stadiums too. We haven’t done New Zealand, Brisbane, and Perth. I’ve missed one home game this season, Perth played at Sydney but I was in Perth for my friend’s wedding. We still watched the game on our phones though, my girlfriend and I were watching the game before the ceremony and she was yelling at the phone. We didn’t realise we were in a public setting but we were still watching it. I feel like I’ve been at 95% of the games this season. If you exclude the away games, that rate goes up.
Jorge getting in his reps at AUSA Facility Alexandria
The NBL is getting better by the day, where do you see Australian basketball in 5 years?
It’s going to continue to get better. We’ve got such an amazing group of talent, there are more owners and more NBA talent coming over here. People are starting to invest in the league. Andrew Bogut and Luc Longley former NBA Champs are both part owners. It’ll get more popular and we have the advantage as an English speaking country for imports coming in.
Anything else you’d like to share or express in your time as a Sydney Kings fan?
We just need to be better fans, the guys are really working hard. Both on the court and people behind the scenes. I was speaking to Ella who works for the Kings and I emailed her last night. She was saying that straight after the last whistle she was back on the laptop working. Some of these people work until 8 pm, 9 pm even midnight on a weekend. It’s hard work for them, and I feel we need to be better fans in the sense that we got to support the local team. I’ve been to Wollongong and Adelaide. The noise levels and engagement is so amazing. You meet so many people at these games, I wish to keep growing the community. If we can get more people and Pack The Q that would be amazing.