On Thursday, the Kings acquired forward-center J.J. Hickson from the Cavaliers in exchange for forward Omri Casspi and a conditional future first-round draft pick.

Connect with Hickson on Twitter: @jjhickson21

Press release: Read

Stats: View

J.J. Hickson

On becoming a member of the Kings:

“I think the Kings did a good job in picking up a young athletic big that is going to give it his all – give it 110 percent. It’s a part of the business and we just have to keep it moving. I’m glad to say that I’m a King now.”

“It’s kind of relieving to get a fresh new start. I’m looking forward to meeting my new teammates and getting out and playing some good basketball. It’s going to be fun to see how it plays out this year.”

What can you bring to the Kings?

“Athleticism, excitement. I’m a big that likes to get up and down the floor so that makes the guard push the ball even more. A low post presence – a guy that is going to block shots and make all of the exciting plays.”

What was the catalyst for your post All-Star Break improvement last season?

“Just tired of losing. I was laying in bed one night thinking ‘someone on this team has to step up’ and i decided i was going to be that player.”

Watch:

Watch – Geoff Petrie Press Conference
Watch – Paul Westphal Press Conference

Share your support for the team’s new addition below!

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Following are quotes from the team’s introductory press conference of Jimmer Fredette, Tyler Honeycutt and Isaiah Thomas at Power Balance Pavilion.

Opening Statements

President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie

“Welcome, everybody. It’s great to see everybody here. We have any number of press conferences during the course of every year but I think my favorite ones, and the most exciting ones, are the ones we have every year when we introduce our newest members to our Kings family and Kings team. They’re the face of the future for your franchise to be added in with the roster you have and it’s always, I think personally and for everybody here and with the Kings, one of the most exciting types of press conferences that you have. Glad to see everybody. I’m going to start off by introducing who we have up here. First, to my left, is Jimmer Fredette. I don’t think he’s any stranger to anybody who follows basketball. He’s one of the most exciting players in college basketball the last couple of years, and we felt very fortunate to be able to draft him on Thursday and look forward to seeing him come in and become part of our team and engage with our players, our fans and the community. I think you’ll really enjoy him as both a player and a person. Next to Jimmer is Tyler Honeycutt, a sophomore at UCLA, who’s an extremely gifted athlete and has the potential to have an impact at both ends of the floor, and has great length and athleticism. I look forward to working with him. Finally, down there is Isaiah Thomas, from Washington, one of the most exciting players in the PAC- 10 as well. He’s going to come out and compete, and it will be a real joy to watch him play, also. Before we get started with any questions, I’d also like to introduce some other people who are here. Al Fredette is here, Jimmer’s dad. From Octagon, there’s Jeff Austin, Chris Simmons and Kate Foley. Tyler’s parents are here, Lisa and Darren. Isaiah’s mom and dad are here also, Tina and James. Welcome to you all.”

Jimmer Fredette

“First of all, I just want to say, I’m really, unbelievably excited to be here as a Kings player, and I know these guys are as well, Tyler and Isaiah. It’s a dream come true for all of us. We appreciate the coaching staff and the front office for choosing us and now it’s our job to go out there and perform. They definitely have a lot of confidence in our abilities, and that’s why we’re here and why we were drafted to the Sacramento Kings. I couldn’t be more excited to get this thing started – talented, young group that will really score a lot of baskets and will be a very exciting team. I hope the fans are ready for a great season. We’re looking forward to going out there and being able to fill the arena and have some really exciting basketball for you guys. I can’t wait. Again, I thank you all for letting me be here, and hopefully things will go great.”

Tyler Honeycutt

“I just want to follow up. He pretty much said it all. It’s a blessing to be here. A lot of kids don’t get to get to this stage and fulfill their dreams. We’re here. We’re definitely going to make the best of it. Like these guys, we’re going to be probably the closest of friends coming into it as rookies, just learning from each other and going through these first experiences with each other. I couldn’t be more excited to be here. I just want to bring those cowbells out again, if we can, and get the gym rocking.”

Isaiah Thomas

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank God. Without him, we all wouldn’t be here today. I’d like to thank the Kings organization for choosing me, as an individual, and choosing Jimmer and Tyler because I feel like we can bring a lot of excitement back to the Kings organization. The fans, man, yesterday was unbelievable – getting welcomed at the airport like we did. I definitely didn’t expect that. I’m expecting big things from this Kings organization and the team. Be ready.”

Coach Paul Westphal

“I just want to echo what everybody said. Draft day was a really good day for us. We feel like we added three players who could have all been easily picked in the first round and have great potential to help us, as well as the trade we made. We’re really excited. That’s really all I have to say. Good days are ahead, and we’re really happy to celebrate this day.”

Have you had a moment yet to soak in everything that’s happened since you were drafted Thursday night?

Fredette

“It’s been tough. It’s been a crazy last couple of days. It’s been a whirlwind going all over the place and doing these great things. They showed me the jersey before we came in here, and I looked at it and I was like ‘Woooo, it’s here now. It’s time to go!’ That’s kind of when it sunk in. Basically, when you get drafted, you go up there and you shake David Stern’s hand and it was an exciting moment. But it still didn’t sink in then because you go right back and have to wait and do the media circuit and you don’t have time to let it sink in and all these different things. But when I saw this jersey, and same with these guys, you know it’s true. You’re here in the NBA and you have accomplished your dreams and now it’s time to not let it stop. It’s time to go out and work as hard as you can and be a great player.”

Why did you choose jersey No. 7?

Fredette

“I’ve worn three other jersey numbers in my entire life and all three of them were taken, so I really had no choice. I was just like, I got to start fresh. It’s kind of a cool number. I like it, seven, just starting new. I have a new identity coming into the NBA. That was kind of my mindset. There was no real significance behind it really.”

How do you characterize what you represent?

Fredette

“Hopefully people see me as a good person first of all. That’s what it’s all about. Going out and being able to help the community, help the people around you – that’s going to carry far longer than basketball ever will. But then, hopefully they see me as a good basketball player as well. Hopefully they can see me as the guy who can go out there and wins a lot of games and does anything for his teammates to help them be successful and help the team be successful. I think I’ve done a pretty good job at that so far. Now it’s our turn to do that with the Sacramento Kings.”

When it comes to the hype around you, how aware of it are you to not allow it to overstate your teammates?

Fredette

“Teammates are what it’s all about. We’re coming into this together, like Tyler said, and we’re going to be great friends. It’s a bond that we’re going to share. We’re going to be able to meet the rest of the team at some point and be able to have a bond with them and have it be like a tight-knit family, because you’re going to be with those guys a lot during the season. I’m looking forward to being able to meet those guys, and even at BYU, I wouldn’t have been able to have the success I had without my teammates. They’re there to support you and help you. Even when you’re not playing well, they’re there. I’m looking forward to having that be the same thing here with the Kings.”

Coach said you could have been first-round picks. You two then fell to the second round, so does it give you extra motivation coming into the NBA?

Honeycutt

“You can say it gives extra motivation. No matter if I was drafted first, I’m going to have plenty of motivation to just be successful. I just want to show a lot of teams that they passed up on something good. I felt like it worked out for the best. My mom was a little upset, but I told her everything was going to be alright and everything was going to work out for the best. I get to stay in California again for the next stage of my life.”

Thomas

“It’s definitely extra motivation for me. I’ve always been doubted my whole life. It’s nothing new, and to just still rock the purple – I’m glad to be in this situation. I don’t have to change a lot. I’m just happy, and it’s definitely extra motivation. I’m just ready to work.”

Do you have plans beyond the end of the month for working out on your own?

Fredette

“For me, and I know the same thing for these guys, we’re going to just continue to do what we always do: go out and play basketball, stay in the best shape that we possibly can, and we’re not exactly sure what’s going to happen coming up, so we’re not too worried about it right now. We’re going to continue to play basketball, just like always, because that’s what we do. We play basketball. We’re going to stay in great shape and hopefully get together and play a lot and just deal with it that way.”

Given Jimmer’s cult following, have you allowed yourself to see how that could fit in?

Westphal

“Certainly it’s a unique situation. I’ve been in some situations where some of my players have had cult followings before. It’s often part of the NBA. If it continues, it means you’re really good. The main thing is, I know Jimmer has not been caught up in over-valuing that – you appreciate the fans and the adulation, and it’s something special. We want him to embrace that. We want the team to embrace that, but at the same time, it doesn’t mean anything if you can’t back it up. You’re focus is the job, and the circus is the circus. I know Jimmer is very good at separating that. I take it as a big plus. We want people to watch us play and enjoy watching us. I think it’s a lot of fun. We’re looking forward to it.”

How do you know about the team’s history?

Honeycutt

“I’m from L.A. and just from watching the Lakers series, just seeing how they battled. I think this town really misses that and really wants that back. This is probably the main sport for Sacramento. We’re excited. We want to see the arena filled, people coming out cheering, and us taking this to a playoff team. From there, the sky’s the limit.”

Are you ready to step up and be leaders in the community to hopefully rally for a new entertainment and sports complex here in Sacramento?

Fredette

“That’s what we’re here for. We’re here to play basketball for the Sacramento Kings and to hopefully bring a great fan base to this arena. Hopefully they’re really excited about it because we’re extremely excited to be here, and that’s the plan – to be here playing basketball for a long time.”

The Kings facilitated a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Bobcats on Thursday, landing the rights to guard Jimmer Fredette (the 10th overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft) and forward John Salmons in exchange for the rights to Bismack Biyombo (seventh overall selection) and guard Beno Udrih.

Fredette, the high-scoring guard from BYU who was named the National Player of the Year, faced a whirlwind of emotions on Draft Day, waiting backstage for hours until the trade was officially announced by NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver during the second round of the Draft.

“It’s been crazy – obviously I got traded right away, then I had to go back to the room and wait for two-and-a-half hours until the whole media circus started,” said Fredette, exhibiting both his unwavering confidence and natural charisma after finally getting the chance to put on his purple official Kings Draft cap.

“Hopefully (the Sacramento) fan base is excited, because I’m really excited to get out there, start the season with them, and have a great year. I’m looking forward to it.”

A deadly shooter with unlimited range – Fredette averaged 3.3 three-pointers made per game on 39.8 percent shooting from long distance as a senior – he believes Sacramento’s up-tempo system that features a lot of ball screens perfectly suits his own playing style.

“I think I can stretch the floor, be able to create for myself and for others, and hopefully be a good decision-maker and a guy who can help them win,” says Fredette.

Capable of creating space for his own shot with quick pull-up jumpers and also finding open teammates with phenomenal court vision and a high basketball IQ, Fredette will be perfectly equipped to play alongside Tyreke Evans in the backcourt, while the potential of a three-guard lineup featuring the hot-shooting Marcus Thornton will be a difficult task for opposing teams to defend.

“(Tyreke) is a slashing guard and able to get into the lane, a very physical guy who can guard the point guard and the shooting guard because he is so big — so that’s an advantage,” said Fredette. ”We are an exciting team that likes to get up and down and score the basketball, so it’s a great fit.”

With the 35th pick, Sacramento selected UCLA forward Tyler Honeycutt, who is renowned for being a tremendous shot-blocker and relentless defender. The 6-foot-8 sophomore, who participated in a pre-Draft workout in Sacramento on the same day as Fredette earlier this month, averaged 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and a Pac 10-leading 2.1 blocks per game.

“I think I fit in very well – they have a young, athletic team. Tyreke can go out there and push the ball, and I think I can be right there beside him, finishing on the break,” said Honeycutt, adding that he’s comfortable playing both shooting guard and small forward.

“I like the situation,” continued Honeycutt, who was projected as a mid-first round pick. “I expected to go higher (in the Draft), but it is what it is – I’m just willing to show a lot of (other teams) made a lot of mistakes.”

The Kings chose University of Washington guard Isaiah Thomas with the 60th and final pick in the Draft, adding more depth to a new-look backcourt. The 5-foot-9 Thomas, who was named the 2011 PAC-10 Tournament MVP, averaged 16.8 points, 6.1 assists and 1.3 steals last season, exhibiting a quick first step and excellent penetration to the basket.

“(Sacramento) is a great organization, and it’s a young team. I’m just ready to get after it,” said Thomas.

“I had a great workout there – it was one of my first workouts and I shot the ball well and just competed at a high level,” said Thomas. “I talked to Coach Paul Westphal (on Thursday) and one of the Maloof brothers after they selected me and they were surprised that I dropped that late, but they were also excited.”

The Kings also welcomed back a familiar face in Salmons, who spent two-and-a-half seasons in Sacramento after signing as a free agent in July 2006. The 6-foot-7 swingman blossomed into a terrific scorer during his Kings tenure, increasing his scoring average each year, from 8.5 points in 2006-07 to 18.3 points in 2008-09, and shooting an efficient 47 percent from the field, 38 percent from three-point range and 81 percent from the free-throw line. A strong and versatile perimeter defender, Salmons is also an excellent ball-handler and playmaker (3.1 assists per game as a Kings player), who, like many of his new teammates, can consistently get to the rim or find the open man.

“(Salmons brings) a lot of energy – (he’s) a guy who can score, a guy who can take over a game,” said Bucks guard Brandon Jennings, who played alongside Salmons for two seasons. “He can get it going really fast.”

For a young Kings team, Salmons, a nine-year veteran, suits a crucial need, solidifying the small forward position and bringing postseason experience. The swingman averaged 17.0 points and 4.0 assists per game for Milwaukee in the 2010 Playoffs, and 18.1 points and 4.4 rebounds for the Chicago Bulls the previous year.

The trio of Sacramento rookies had their boyhood dreams fulfilled on Thursday night, and Fredette and Honeycutt soaked in the moment during their post-Draft press conferences at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., flashing wide smiles and bursting with excitement. Their additions to a roster that includes six players under the age of 25, including rapidly-developing second-year big man DeMarcus Cousins, along with Salmons’ leadership and strong locker room presence, could certainly lift the upstart Kings into Playoff contention.

#HereWeWelcome

Join the team in welcoming Jimmer Fredette and Tyler Honeycutt to Sacramento today (Friday) at Sacramento International Airport. The pair will arrive from NYC via Salt Lake City at 4 p.m. in Terminal A so throw on your Kings threads and help give the rookies a grand Kings fans greeting!

Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie

Opening Statement:

“I think you’re all aware of what we did today. We made a trade of Beno (Udrih) for John Salmons and switched picks with Milwaukee and ended up drafting Jimmer Fredette at 10, Tyler Honeycutt at 35 in the second round and Isaiah Thomas was the last pick in the second round (60). I think we really improved ourselves at the small forward position dramatically. We obviously have had John before – very versatile. He had long stretches where he was probably our best player on teams that were better than the ones we’ve had recently. I think with Jimmer we have one of the most exciting players in college basketball. Obviously this last year, somebody with outstanding offensive skills and creativity in the backcourt. Honeycutt is a terrific athlete, led the PAC -10 in blocked shots, might be able to play and defend a couple of positions up here. Isaiah Thomas is just a consummate competitor. He’s on the small side but had a great career at Washington – a real competitor and really skilled.”

Why did you trade down to get to No. 10?

“We wanted to do something about our small forward position. The other aspect of all of this is it didn’t impact our future salary cap at all. So we’re still going to be sitting here with, if you take last year’s salary cap, probably $28-29 (million) of real room for free agency whenever that starts (and) we also have a very high-quality small forward – a position where we really struggled last year. We felt like we could still get a really good player at 10 as opposed to seven, and I think hopefully it’s the way it turned out.”

When did the possibility of doing this deal with John get on your radar?

“The last two or three days probably.”

What was it about Jimmer that you guys liked so much?

“First of all, he has a really engaging, positive personality. He’s conquered every challenge in his athletic career to this point. He has a lot of pride, and he’s just an outstanding offensive player — has a great handle, can create his own shot, has some creativity with the ball. He has some size and strength. I mean not tall size-wise but he’s strong and he’s been challenged at every turn, and he’s done well.”

How do you think he will mesh with Tyreke Evans?

“Certainly his shooting, he’s going to have to be guarded out there, and in the times he plays with Tyreke, they can both handle, they can both create. They should be able to play off each other pretty well.”

How does Jimmer-mania play into the franchise and help rebuild the good feeling about the Kings?

“I think it’s important to get not only a high-quality player but a high-quality person, and I think it’s what we’re getting here. I think one thing we can count on is he will be the best player he can be. Hopefully, I think that can be very, very good.”

With Salmons, did you get a chance to talk to him and get his feelings about coming back to Sacramento?

“I have a call into him. I left him a message, but haven’t talked to him. I did talk to Beno and had a really good conversation with him. That was a tough call to make. He’s been a real pro here and played his best basketball here. But again, we had to really improve ourselves at a position that we felt really hurt us last year in a lot of games and we had a chance to do that.”

Are you still looking to maybe make more moves?

“We’re going to make more moves, for sure, just by virtue of free agency alone whenever it starts. There will be other additions and changes probably to our roster.”

Where did you have Tyler Honeycutt ranked on your board, were you surprised he was still available at 35?

“We were surprised. We thought he would go somewhere in the 20s, but that’s why the Draft is the Draft. It gets really subjective at some point.”

Did you intend on keeping both second round picks coming into today or is that how it just played out?

“No, you always want to take players you think have a chance and then you’re looking at maybe moving them or flipping them. But we liked Honeycutt and his workout here, (and) we liked him when we saw him during the year. He has size, length and athleticism — for a sophomore, a pretty good skill level already. At 60, you’re taking someone (Thomas) you like that you know is a competitor and is going to play hard.”

Do you plan to make any additional moves today or tomorrow?

“No, there’s nothing more imminent that I’m aware of at the moment.”

Is Jimmer a guy who can contribute at some level right away as a rookie?

“I think the anticipation is that he’s capable of playing some minutes, yes.”

Does the addition of Jimmer impact the team’s desire to keep Marcus Thornton?

“No, not at all. I really think, again in theory, Jimmer can play with Thornton. I think he can play with Tyreke.”

By bringing in a veteran small forward like Salmons back to the team, is there a message you might be sending to one of the younger small forwards on the team?

“We had to get better at that position in some way. Whether that was drafting – we weren’t that confident as far as the draft at small forward – (or) free agency. There are other things we need to do too. There (was) an opportunity to do something through a high-quality player we knew had been productive here before, and we’re still in really good shape moving forward.”

How excited are Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof with the results of the Draft?

“They’re excited. I think we all feel we addressed some areas, improved in some areas we needed to and got a really exciting player in Jimmer, and we can move on from here.”

Coach Paul Westphal

Do you have Jimmer- mania?

“It was a good day for us. The Draft went very well. We’re pleased – added some more pieces, force going forward.”

How will you use Jimmer?

“We haven’t even had a practice yet. We think he’ll fit in really well with our roster. I hesitate to say until we get out there and get after it, but I think of him as a point guard. I think he plays the pick-and-roll really well. He’s a good passer. Obviously, he’s a great shooter and he not only can shoot off the dribble and create his own shot, but he can be a weak-side catch-and-shoot player that spaces the floor. He’s a really good complement to any NBA team because everybody is looking for that and I think he’s somebody who is extremely fundamentally sound. He knows how to make himself successful on the basketball court. He’s a really good athlete, and I think he’s ready to play in the NBA. I don’t think there’s going to be a real difficult learning curve for him. I think he’s an experienced player already.”

What’s your read on how Salmons will contribute?

“I think he’s going to help us tremendously. First of all, he’s an excellent defensive player. He guards, point guards, shooting guards and small forwards – the best athletes in the world – and does a real good job. I think he’s an outstanding three-point shooter. He’s always up in the high 30s maybe even in the 40s in three-point shooting. He’s a good ball handler and he can post-up. One of the things I think helps a lot, that we haven’t always been able to do, is when they play a small guard, we like to post them up. But after people figured it out, they stopped putting small guards on Tyreke. They started putting them on our small forward or Beno if he was in there. If we have a lineup, for example: Tyreke, Thornton and Salmons, there’s no place for little guards to hide. That helps our offense a lot. It helps our spacing a lot. John can do all those things. I think he’ll help us very much. We’re sorry to lose Beno. He’s been a real excellent pro for us. You can make an argument nobody had a better year for us last year than Beno and he’s been very solid and we will miss him, but it shows you what we think of John that we would give Beno up.”

Is this team better defensively?

“We’re not through adding to this team. There’s some moves to come that weren’t appropriate today or not even possible today, but I think certainly we didn’t take any steps backward defensively. I’d say that you could make the argument with the addition of John, we’ve improved ourselves defensively.”

Did you speak to Jimmer after the trade?

“Yes, I spoke to him. He’s excited. He can’t wait to get out here and bring Jimmer-mania to the State Capitol.”

What stood out in the pre-Draft workout in which both Fredette and Honeycutt participated in Sacramento?

“They’re both really good athletes and good passers. I think Honeycutt is somebody who has a chance to defend several positions and he’s young. He’s a hard worker. He needs to get stronger. There will be more time probably for him to learn by watching than by doing right from the start, but he’s somebody I think can play for a long time in this League. He figures to be an excellent defender and has some offensive abilities as well.”

What are your expectations of Jimmer early on?

“I hate to even say because we’re so far from having our final roster. I certainly think he’s going to play significant minutes whether he starts or comes off the bench.”

How do you see Tyreke and Jimmer fitting in together?

“I think it’s a great combination. I think Jimmer can pretty much play with most anybody because he can play with the ball or without it. He’s really good in the pick-and-roll and his ability to stretch the defense makes the defense honor his presence. I think, primarily, he’ll be asked to guard point guards, but there are a lot of shooting guards. He has good enough size to guard several shooting guards. We’ll see how that develops. I think he and Tyreke, he and Marcus, either combination, shouldn’t present too many problems.”

What do you think having Jimmer and John will do for DeMarcus’ inside game?

“The late, great Cotton Fitzsimmons used to tell me: ‘Westy, when I’m gone, you put it on my tombstone — You can’t have too much shooting.”

How confident are you that Jimmer can have a successful pro career?

“I don’t have any doubt he will have a long career. I don’t think it’s a matter of if he will make it. It’s just a matter of how good he can be. The only way you find that out is by competition. I can sit here and say: ‘He’s going to be the next Steve Nash.’ Somebody else can say: ‘No, (and) he’s going to pick out somebody who is strictly a shooter.’ I think he’s going to be really good. It’s going to be up to him. He’s succeeded at every level, he’s excelled at every level and he’s still hungry. He’s fundamentally one of the best players – best rookies – I’ve been around watching him come into this League. He understands the game and why he’s good, and I think he’s going to be a very nice addition.”

How is Jimmer’s maturity and advantage coming into the NBA?

“There are a lot of ways to get experience. But I certainly think the experience he’s had has been the best road for him, and I think he’s ready to play.”

How impressed are you with the way he can shoot the ball?

“In the workouts he didn’t even have one of the best shooting days he’s had, but his shot is so compact and he shoots it so easily, you really are a little surprised when he misses an open one. He has beautiful mechanics, and he’s worked on his game. He’s one of those guys you expect it to go in when he shoots.”

How would you describe his defensive ability?

“They played a lot of zone and he used that time to rest up for offense quite a bit. I think it’ going to be the place he’s going to have to work the hardest to make the adjustment. There are examples of players who are less athletically gifted than Jimmer, who have become just fine defensive players in the League. I think he understands the game well enough that he’ll know how to do that. He’s not projected to be a stopper. That’s not why we drafted him. I think he’ll be fine.”

Guard Jimmer Fredette

Opening Statement:

“Obviously, a Sacramento King, officially — took a little while waiting back there. But it’s a great moment for me and for my family, and for the Sacramento Kings organization. Hopefully their fan base is excited, because I’m really excited to get out there and start the season with them and have a great year.”

How will playing with a big guard, like Tyreke Evans, bring out your skill set, especially as a perimeter shooter?

“He’s a slashing guard and able to get into the lane, a very physical guy who can guard the point guard and the shooting guard because he is so big — so that’s an advantage. Hopefully, I think we’ll be able to play really, really well together. Like I said, it’s a young team, young nucleus of guys they have out there. But we are an exciting team that likes to get up and down and score the basketball, so it’s a great fit.”

The crowd was going crazy for you, and the type of reaction you’ve been getting with the media attention, does it almost feel like you’re the No. 1 pick with everything that’s surrounding you?

“No, not necessarily. I’m still the No. 10 pick, but Top 10 pick is a great thing still. I think a lot of it just has to do with this last year in college, how things exploded and the media just really took a hold of our season and myself, and it’s continuing. Everyone was really anxious and didn’t know where I was going to go. I was all over the draft boards, and people were just excited to see about it, as was I. So I think that was a big part of it.”

What was the wait like? That was like two-and-a-half hours from Draft to trade. How hard was that?

“It took a long time, but it’s something you’ve got to do. They just wouldn’t let you out of the room until the trade was official and I wish it could have been a little bit earlier. I have friends and family that I’m going to go see and hang out with after this, so that’s what happens sometimes.”

Can you talk about your brand in the “Follow Jimmer” and all of the YouTube stuff — how will you continue it as you hopefully make it to a successful NBA career?

“This is the last day of the “Follow Jimmer” YouTube thing. We’ll sell the rights to people, and we’ll be in the works with that — but today was the last day of the documentary. It was a good thing. This last month they just hit some key points of what I was doing, and it shows what a college basketball player has to go through to get into the NBA — so it’s a cool thing. I think people really enjoyed it, but it’s over today.”

I saw you took a peek up at the “Jimmer Jam” celebration. What did it feel like for you to be able to see that your hometown was excited for you and cheering for you back home?

“It’s great. It’s great to have that support back home. It’s obviously where I grew up and was raised my entire life, and I’ll never forget the people who helped me get to the position where I am today. So it’s very, very exciting for myself and everybody back in Glen Falls, (N.Y.), and I’m glad they are still supporting me.”

Does it make you smile when you see the makeshift contract you drew up with your brother and everybody is posting it now?

“Yes, definitely. It’s a little thing that just helped to keep my mind straight, and every night before I went to bed, I saw it and dreamed about being an NBA basketball player. First thing you have to do if you have a goal is to write it down, and that’s what we did. T.J. was a big influence on my life, and that was just one of the many things he did for me to help me get to this position. It’s just a cool thing, and people really like it.”

When did you think Sacramento would be a possible Draft destination for you?

“When they made the trade to No. 10, I thought that was a possibility for sure. We worked out with five teams, and I thought I would land with one of those five teams. I worked out with Sacramento, so I knew I had a shot. They liked me out there — the Maloofs and Coach and Petrie, they liked me — so I had a pretty good workout, and I knew it was a possibility. Now, it’s a reality.”

What do you envision in Sacramento?

“Like I said, the style of play that I like — up-tempo system, ball screens — I like to score the basketball, so it plays right into my style of play. That’s how I’ve played my entire life at college and in high school so this is no different. Hopefully we can get out there and have a great team, be able to excite the fans and get more wins this year.”

How much did you focus on showcasing you had the athletic ability to compete in the NBA during pre-Draft workouts?

“It was definitely something I wanted to focus on in the workouts. I had a perception and it’s something I had to go out and prove. People had to see it in order to believe it. I thought I did a pretty good job of it in the workouts, and it’s why I think I was able to be picked in the Top 10. I thought the workouts were great for me and my family to be in this position right now.”

Forward Tyler Honeycutt

How excited are you to join the Kings?

“Very excited. I think it’s a great situation for me. I get to stay home in California.”

Do you think your Sacramento workout was among your best pre-Draft sessions?

“Definitely. I think it was one of my best defensive workouts, and I think I did pretty solid.”

Looking at the roster, with whom are you most excited about teaming up?

“Definitely Tyreke (Evans). I think he’s one of the best point guards in the League. I definitely know he’s underrated a bit, but being 6-foot-6, long, fast and probably having one of the best handles in the League – I’m definitely excited to go out there with him.”

After participating in a Sacramento pre-Draft workout with Jimmer Fredette, could you two have anticipated landing on the Kings together?

“It’s crazy. They actually had us team up together when we did some of the draft team stuff, and we played off each other. I think he’s a great player, great person, and I can tell he’s a hard worker and so am I. I think it’s a great thing for this organization.”

After dreaming about making it to the NBA, how would you describe what it feels like to get drafted?

“Most kids who get to this point, it has been their dream. It’s been mine since I was four years old because I stuck with it and haven’t quit and the people around me stayed close and supported me through thick and thin. There are a lot of kids who won’t get drafted and won’t even make it to the NBA, so just getting here is a great accomplishment. They say getting here is tough, but staying here is even tougher. So, I’m definitely going to work hard to stay in the League and make a name for myself.”

With a reputation as a strong defender, what areas of your game do you plan to work on over the coming months?

“Just keep doing what I’ve been doing. I think my offense is very underrated. Most of the workouts I’ve done, people will tell you I’ve surprised them – especially being so athletic and being able to shoot and being able to put the ball on the floor and just make good passes.”

What message would you like to share with your new Sacramento supporters?

“Definitely think it’s a great pick. You’re going to get a young, hard-working man. I’ve been trying to show proof to prove people wrong since I’ve been in high school. A lot of people doubted me, even in college … so people are going to talk, and I’m going to play.”

Have you and Jimmer had a chance to talk since learning you’ll both be joining the Kings?

“I saw him walk through and we said congratulations, but they have us running around from one spot to another. I’ll probably see him either later tonight, or I think we’re going to Sacramento tomorrow.”

Guard Isaiah Thomas

Opening Statement:

“I’m very excited. You know me. That’s all I wanted. All I needed was a chance, and I got it. I’m going to take full advantage of it.”

How nerve-wracking was it to have to wait so long to hear your name called?

“It was real nerve-wracking because I didn’t expect to go that late. Even my agent was a little surprised because we heard different things coming up into the Draft. Other than that, it was just a blessing to get picked. I’m just glad. God has a plan for me and He chose for me to get picked by Sacramento. It’s a great organization, and it’s a young team. I’m just ready to get after it.”

How did the draft process go with Sacramento and what do you know about them?

“I know a little bit. I had two of my good friends Jon Brockman and Spencer Hawes play there in previous years, so I know a little bit. I had a great workout there. It was one of my first workouts and I shot the ball well and just competed at a high level. They liked that. I talked to Coach Paul Westphal today and one of the Maloof brothers after they selected me and they were surprised that I dropped that late, but they were also excited. They told me they can’t wait to meet me and can’t wait to get things going because the type of player I am. I’m just happy because everybody doesn’t get this opportunity.”

Will being selected as the last pick add to the chip that is already on your shoulder?

“Yes. You know it will. I will be in the gym tomorrow. While I’m disappointed some of the player were chosen ahead of me, at the same time, everything happens for a reason. I’m just ready to get after it and show the other 29 teams they made a mistake.”

How did you spend the Draft?

“I was on my own. I was just waiting for my agent to call. I didn’t watch the Draft. I was looking at (the TV) every few minutes, but I was just on my own playing the waiting game until my time came.”

When did you know you were going to be selected?

“During the 58th pick I found out Sacramento was going to take me. My agent called me and I was just excited. I shed a little tear with my family members. I got back home (to his Seattle apartment) right as my agent called. He called me right as I was walking up to my family members. It was just a blessing. It is a moment I will cherish for my life, but at the same time I got my foot in the door and now I’m going to knock it down.”

What’s your message to fans?

“Husky fans, I hope you stay rooting for me and Kings fans, I’m going to bring a winner’s mentality and give 110 percent every chance I get.”

In a Draft Night trade, the Kings landed National Player of the Year and the country’s leading scorer Jimmer Fredette and veteran John Salmons in exchange for the team’s No. 7 pick and Beno Udrih.

With the No. 35 overall pick, Sacramento selected forward Tyler Honeycutt and at No. 60, Sacramento chose Isaiah Thomas.

Share your support for the team’s newest additions below!

Plus, for an additional opportunity to be HEARD upon the players’ arrival in the Capital City, leave your question for them in the below comments.

See the new-look Kings in action all season — Get Tix!

Update: Jimmer stops by to say, Thank You!

Happy Draft Day, Kings fans!

*Stay current with this page all day for Draft updates*

2011 NBA Draft Live Update

9:08PM With the #60 overall pick, Sacramento selects Isaiah Thomas.

7:55PM – In a Draft Night trade, the Kings land National Player of the Year and the country’s leading scorer Jimmer Fredette and veteran John Salmons in exchange for the team’s No. 7 pick and Beno Udrih.

7:53PM – With the #35 overall pick, the Sacramento Kings select Tyler Honeycutt

5:07PM – With the #6 overall pick, the Washingon Wizards select Jan Vesely
5:02PM – With the #5 overall pick, the Toronto Raptors select Jonas Valanciunas
4:55PM – With the #4 overall pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Tristan Thompson
4:50PM – With the #3 overall pick, the Utah Jazz select Enes Kanter
4:45PM – With the #2 overall pick, the Minnesota Timberwolves select Derrick Williams
4:40PM – With the #1 overall pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Kyrie Irving

Seven Parties! (1:50 p.m.)

Fans are encouraged to join the team at seven area locations for the Kings Neighborhood Draft Parties.

At least one Kings player — Tyreke Evans (Oshima Sushi & Mix Downtown), Donté Greene (Hacienda Del Rio & Bisla’s), Jason Thompson (Bull Wings & Pizza Rock) or Hassan Whiteside (Dave and Buster’s) — will visit each location, and all player expected appearance times have been announced!

The first 20 fans at each location will get a pair of tickets to a future Kings game, and all fans in attendance will have the opportunity to win cool prizes – including #KingsLucky7 trivia on Twitter @SacramentoKings!

Kings.com will have complete post-Draft coverage, including reaction from Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie, Coach Paul Westphal and the team’s new additions. Plus, Kings.com is your source for videos, photos and much more.

Key Notes (12:07 p.m.)

• The Kings hold picks No. 7, 35 and 60.
• NBA Draft coverage begins at 4 p.m. PST on ESPN, while the Draft proceedings are expected to begin at 4:30 p.m.
• Each team has five minutes per selection in the First Round and two minutes, respectively, in the Second Round.
• While rumors may be reported during the telecast and around the Web, news only becomes official upon an announcement from Commissioner David Stern or Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver on ESPN, or the respective teams in the event it occurs after the broadcast.

Facebook Fan Picks (10:25 a.m.)

Kings.com recently asked “Of prospects currently ranked as Kings fans’ top 10 on Offseason Central, who do you think would fit best with Sacramento’s current lineup?”

With more than 800 votes, fans came to a consensus choice for their favorite team. With the seventh-overall pick, he/she would select…

Kemba Walker.

Garnering 364 total votes and nearly 45 percent of the overall tally, Walker is the current favorite among Kings fans on Facebook.

Following is what some had to say about the point guard from the University of Connecticut.

Tyrone Moore – “I think Walker because he is an all-around PG.”

Hartley Hermansen – “The team does need a good point guard and scorer. I think Kemba Walker would be a good choice if he is available.”

Kou Vang – “Kemba will be the best player in this year’s Draft class, period.”

Coming in a close second among Sacramento supporters was National Player of the Year Jimmer Fredette. Although he may not have garnered enough votes to claim the fan choice award, he still excited many, even eliciting a “JIM-MER JIM-MER JIM-MER!” chant from Kings fan Brian E. Lewis.

Check out additional comments shared about prospects on the list of possible Kings draftees.

Kathie Ramos – “Kawhi Leonard is “The Man” on defense. He is quick, strong, can jump, pass, dribble, dunk and make steals, runs the court always and can also score. Plus, did I mention he was good?”

Amanjot Niagra – “Jimmer is more experienced and he has an average of almost 29 points per game.”

Harold Brock – “Enes Kanter is a future All-Star – best big man available.”

Patrick Kilkenny – “I think Jimmer Fredette will fit great with our Kings! His awesome shooting and ball handling is what we need. But three-point shooting is a must for us, so I hope we pick him at 7? GO KINGS!!!!”

Jason Greer – “Brandon Knight and (DeMarcus Cousins) would make for a lethal combination. Kings fans have to see the BBN (Big Blue Nation) latest point guard heading in their direction. Add in one of our guys next year and your team is potentially the most loved NBA team by Kentucky fans aside from the Washington Wizards.”

Facebook Fan Vote Tally:

Kemba Walker: 364 votes

Jimmer Fredette: 174 votes

Derrick Williams: 109 votes

Brandon Knight: 66 votes

Kyrie Irving: 41 votes

Kawhi Leonard: 35 votes

Enes Kanter: 10 votes

Nolan Smith: 5 votes

Bismack Biyombo 5 votes

Tristan Thompson: 3 votes

Total: 812 votes

be HEARD

Do you agree with fellow Kings fans? If so, why do you think Kemba Walker would fit in with the current Kings lineup? If not, who do you think would be a better fit?

You can still cast your choice by clicking HERE!

Rank Your Top 40 Final Results (12:01 a.m.)

Since May 9, Kings fans have had the chance to cast their choices for the top 40 prospects in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Now, the ballots are in and fans’ final order has been determined. Following is a look at who Sacramento supporters chose as their top 10 picks.

1. Derrick Williams
2. Kyrie Irving
3. Kemba Walker
4. Brandon Knight
5. Jimmer Fredette
6. Enes Kanter
7. Kawhi Leonard
8. Nolan Smith
9. Bismack Biyombo
10. Tristan Thompson

Landing at No. 35, fans slated Jeremy Tyler.

Have a prognostication for No. 60? Please share it in the below comments!

For a complete look at the final standings, Click Here.

The day prior to the 2011 NBA Draft, in which the Kings have the seventh-overall pick, the top lottery prospects gathered in mid-town New York for Media Availability.

The majority of the players, six of whom had recently worked out in Sacramento, spoke enthusiastically about potentially playing alongside young stars DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans in purple and black.

“I think I’d fit in well (in Sacramento),” said Jimmer Fredette, the 2011 National Player of the Year who averaged an NCAA-leading 28.9 points per game. “In a ball-screen system, (the Kings) need a guy who can stretch the floor and shoot the ball well but also create for others, and that’s what I do best.”

Fredette, who admires All-Star point guards Deron Williams and Steve Nash, believes his multifaceted skill set would complement Tyreke Evans in Sacramento’s backcourt.

“(Tyreke is) a great player – Rookie of the Year – a guy who’s going to be a rising star in this League, and he’s a bigger guy who can slash to the basket and create for himself and for others,” said Fredette. “That would be good for me, as well, to be able to have two guys out there who can create for themselves (and) for other guys.”

San Diego State University forward Kawhi Leonard, who is regarded for his rebounding and defensive ability, believes he’ll have two wonderful mentors if he ends up being picked by Sacramento.

“It would be an honor (to play for the Kings),” said Leonard. “(I’d) learn a lot from (Tyreke and DeMarcus Cousins). (With) them being in the NBA before me, (I’d) try to get some feedback from their first year (and learn) how they became successful.”

The lightning-quick Brandon Knight, who averaged 17.3 points and 4.2 assists per game while leading the Kentucky Wildcats to the Final Four, enjoyed his trip to Northern California and received positive feedback from the Kings front office.

“I’d be happy to go to Sacramento – it’s a great place. (Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie) is good, (Coach Paul) Westphal is good and I really had a good time there,” said Knight.

University of Colorado guard Alec Burks, renowned for his scoring prowess, enjoyed the competitiveness of his Sacramento workout.

“I think my workout in Sacramento went great,” he said. “I feel they came away very impressed with me, and I feel like it was a hard hour workout that we all battled in.”

Burks has long appreciated Evans’ game, as well as the potential of the versatile and athletic wing scorers on the Kings.

“I feel like I modeled a little of my game after (Evans’) – being a big guard who (is) able to handle – and it’d be a great feeling to play with him.”

Kemba Walker, who delivered countless clutch shots en route to leading the UConn Huskies to the 2011 NCAA Championship, is looking forward to bringing his strong work ethic to the next level.

“I thought I did pretty well (in my Sacramento workout),” said Walker. “I’m going to be happy wherever I go, and I’m going to try to bring my hard work and my will to win to whatever team I go.

“I’ve known Tyreke for a long time now,” he added. “Tyreke and I are real good friends, and it would be a lot of fun (to play with him).”

Tristan Thompson, a power forward who averaged 13.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game for the Texas Longhorns, feels he and Cousins would create a formidable Kings frontline.

“I’d love the opportunity,” said Thompson. “Sacramento is definitely a city that loves their basketball. They had their winning years with Mike Bibby and Chris Webber, and I feel they have what it takes to make a run back into the Playoffs.”

As the Kings look to move a step closer to getting back to the postseason, find out who will be the team’s selections on Thursday beginning at 4 p.m. PST on ESPN, and catch all the excitement live at the Kings Neighborhood Draft Parties.

The seventh-overall selection in the NBA Draft has produced some of the best players in League history.

The elite company includes Hall-of-Famers and perennial All-NBA Team members John Havlicek and Chris Mullin, NBA scoring champion and four-time All-Star Bernard King, Defensive Player of the Year and four-time All-Star Alvin Robertson and, of course, Sacramento Mayor and five-time All-NBA Team member Kevin Johnson, who is one of only three players in NBA history (Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas) to average more than 20 points and 12 assists per game in a season.

In recent years, the seventh pick has netted three-time All-Star Richard Hamilton, Rookie of the Year winner Damon Stoudamire and rising young stars Stephen Curry, Eric Gordon and Greg Monroe.

Lucky No. 7 has also brought plenty of good fortune to the Kings in the past, as three of the four players selected in the Sacramento-era were named to the NBA All-Rookie Team.

Lionel Simmons (1990) and Walt Williams (1992) hold the second- and third-highest rookie scoring averages, respectively, behind Tyreke Evans. Meanwhile, Bobby Hurley (1993) and Jason Williams (1998) are two of only four former Kings to average more than six assists per game in their first seasons.
Following is a closer look at each of the Sacramento-era seventh selections.

Jason Williams

The flashy point guard took the League by storm when he arrived in Sacramento, putting on between-the-legs dribbling displays and dishing spectacular behind-the-back, no-look and even and off-the elbow passes that made him a staple on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top Plays. J-Will helped put the Kings in the national spotlight, as fans were left a gasp at his dazzling improvisation, and purple No. 55 jerseys flew off the shelves across the country.

Although he spent just three seasons in Sacramento, it’s impossible to forget the way he electrified the Kings home venue and made basketball look fun and effortless, finding a cutting Chris Webber or Peja Stojakovic for a dunk or confidently pulling up for a 3-pointer on a fast break. A decade later, Williams’ highlight reel remains an absolute thrill to watch.

The 6-foot-1 guard holds Sacramento-era rookie records for 3-pointers made (2.0) and steals per game (1.9), and is one of only two Kings to average more than 12 points and six assists (Kenny Smith) in his first season. Over the course of his tenure in purple and black, Williams ranks fourth in assists per game (6.3), behind Reggie Theus, Smith and Spud Webb, and his 18 dimes on Jan. 4, 2000, tied Theus’ Sacramento-era record.

Bobby Hurley

After a stellar four-year career at Duke University, where he was a unanimous All-America selection in 1993 and won back-to-back National Championships, Hurley started the first 19 games of his rookie campaign for the Kings, averaging 7.1 points and 6.1 assists. In his eighth professional game, the 6-foot-1 point guard recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists and dished out at least five assists in all but four contests in his first season.

A life-threatening car accident on December 12, 1993, left Hurley’s career in doubt, but he was able to return to the court the following season and played another three-and-a half years with the team. Hurley recorded a career-high 17 assists to go along with 14 points on March 3, 1995.

Walt Williams

Williams, most renowned for his stellar outside shooting (38 percent for his career), was one of the most versatile and athletic players in the League early in his career. In fact, he was capable of playing all five positions on the floor. The Wizard ranked fourth in scoring (17.0 points per game) and fifth in assists (3.0) and in steals (1.1) among first-year players en route to being named to the 1993 NBA All-Rookie Second Team. The 6-foot-8 forward posted 20.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game following the All-Star Break and became only the second Kings rookie to score at least 40 points in a game on Jan. 2, 1993.

Off the court during his Sacramento tenure, the multitalented Williams showed off his acting skills in the 1996 film “Eddie” and appeared in the music video for the Hootie & the Blowfish hit song “Only Wanna Be with You.”

Lionel Simmons

Quietly, Simmons established himself as one of the team’s most proficient and consistent players. No. 22 recorded four straight seasons of at least 15 points, seven rebounds and one steal per game. He finished second to Derrick Coleman in the 1991 NBA Rookie of the Year voting, won two Rookie of the Month awards and was named to the All-Rookie First Team after putting up 18 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest.

L-Train held the Sacramento-era rookie rebounding record for 20 years (DeMarcus Cousins broke it in 2010-11) and is one of two Kings (Evans) to score at least 20 points in seven straight contests in his first season. Simmons averaged a phenomenal 29.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game during the stretch and still holds the single-game Sacramento-era record for points by a rookie (42). While injuries slowed him down over his final three seasons, Simmons is one of only eight players in franchise history to hold career averages of at least 12 points, six rebounds and three assists per game (minimum 100 games played).

be HEARD

Who will be the next prospect to be crowned a Kings draftee with the seventh pick?

Find out on Thursday beginning at 4 p.m. PST on ESPN, and catch all the excitement live at the Kings Neighborhood Draft Parties!

With Draft Night just two days away, the Kings hosted their ninth and final pre-Draft session of the summer on Tuesday.

Following an assortment of on-court drills at the Kings Practice Facility, Kings.com caught up with President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie, forward Kevin Galloway (Texas Southern) and guard Mark Payne (UC Davis) to get their reaction to the six-player workout and the pre-Draft process.

The session also featured guard Andrew Goudelock (College of Charleston), guard Jacob Pullen (Kansas State), guard Julyan Stone (UTEP) and guard Xavier Rabaseda (Spain, Barcelona).

Watch

Watch – Six-Player On-Court Workout

Watch – Geoff Petrie Interview

Watch – Kevin Galloway Interview

Watch – Mark Payne Interview

Geoff Petrie

How would you assess this year’s pre-Draft process?

“Like a lot of teams, we have a pretty systematic practice that we put the draftees through – in terms of trying to look at their skill level, their shooting skills and then trying to get them in situations where they have to play with each other and see how they react. We had most of the players in we wanted to see, relative to where we are picking in this Draft that you could reasonably expect to get. There are always a few that you can’t get that you think you should. I think it’s an interesting Draft. We have more than one area we want to try to improve the team – keep working from now until the Draft comes on Thursday and try to fine-tune that and a lot of that depends on what happens in front of us, so you are always working on that too.”

Do you take into consideration how demanding the pre-Draft process is for the players?

“I think you have to take a look at it and have some level of concern about it – depending what their schedule was prior to coming here. Certainly if this is their fifth workout in five days and they’ve been flying all over the country to do them and they look tired or maybe they don’t move as well as you thought they did – you have to factor that in there in some form. The other side of that is, with the demand of some of the players and teams that want to see them, you have to take what you can get, and that is what we do.”

Do you create your own mock Draft leading up to the event?

“We try to spend a lot of time – like most teams – we try to figure out, as reasonably as possible, what is happening in front of us so we can make a group (of players from which we can select).”

How do you scout European players versus players in the U.S.?

“We’ve seen them all. (Kings VP, Basketball Operations and General Manager) Wayne Cooper was over (in Europe) for a couple of weeks (and) (Kings Assistant General Manager) Shareef Abdur-Rahim was over there for a week or so. We have a full-time scout that lives in Terrazzo, Italy, who has seen tons of games over there this year and every year. I think we have a good handle on them – most of them did not do workouts and if they did it was an individual workout in a far away place with interviews. So, you’re basically relying on your own scouting reports and what you’ve seen of them over the years.”

Does it make more sense this year to take the best player available or to address a specific need on the team?

“My preference, especially where we are now, is to go with who we (believe is the) best player, or (with the) player who has the best potential to be the best player, regardless of position. Some trades may arise that might influence your roster in another direction and you may have to change a little bit. Today, our discussions are about who we think is the absolute best player. The great thing about a staff of people who we’ve had together for so long is that you can have animated discussions without hurting anybody’s feelings!”

Kevin Galloway

How would you describe working out for your hometown team?

“It’s a dream come true. Growing up, it was always something I wanted to do being a big Kings fan, and I’m just grateful to have this opportunity.”

How could you see yourself fitting in with the Kings?

“I think I would fit in pretty well if I get the chance – help out the team any way I could – motivate the guys and be a team player.”

What do you takeaway from your college experience?

“I just try to look at all the positive things. I was able to go to a lot of schools and meet a lot of great people, so I have a lot of great contacts and a lot of great friends. I’m happy about that.”

Mark Payne

What attributes set you apart from other players entering the Draft?

“I think my versatility. I’m a bigger guard, and a lot of times I’m hard to match up with. I play three different positions – definitely my versatility.”

How has your shooting progressed since the end of the college season?

“I’ve made great strides and can definitely shoot it better than others. In Boston, yesterday, I shot it very well. I think teams know I can hit the open shot and if someone passes it to me I can hit it.”

How did the Sacramento pre-Draft workout compare to others?

“This one was a lot more full-court 3-on-3. I haven’t really done full-court 3-on-3. In Phoenix, we did a lot of 1-on-1 full-court and a lot of transition stuff. It mostly deals with what a team has in mind for its structure.”

Kings Neighborhood Draft Parties

Watch the excitement of the 2011 NBA Draft unfold at a location near you! This summer, the Kings are bringing Draft parties to Kings fans’ neighborhoods. There will be player and SKDT member appearances, opportunities to win cool Kings prizes and more – all while seeing who Sacramento selects with its lucky No. 7 pick! For complete details, CLICK HERE.

be HEARD

With less than 48 hours to go until the 2011 NBA Draft, who are the top five prospects you have slated for Sacramento at the No. 7 pick?

Show off your Kings expertise this Thursday at the Kings Neighborhood Draft Parties by participating in #KingsLucky7 trivia at the party location near you!

All social-media savvy fans in attendance at the seven party locations will have the opportunity to win the 2011 Kings Draft Cap – the same model worn by this year’s Sacramento selections – by participating in the trivia questions posted on Twitter.com/SacramentoKings!

Tips to Participate

Research Kings Draft History.

Attend one of the seven Kings Neighborhood Draft Parties, which begins at 4 p.m. on June 23, 2011.

Tune-in to the Kings on Twitter @SacramentoKings between 4-5 p.m. on Thursday.

Upon seeing the #KingsLucky7 question tweeted by the team, type your answer into your mobile device and show it to the Kings Emcee at your given Kings Neighborhood Draft Party venue.

The first person to show the Kings Emcee the correct answer on his/her mobile device at their given location will be named the winner by the Kings Emcee.

Only those in attendance at the Kings Neighborhood Draft Parties are eligible to win.

There will be two rounds, so if at first you don’t succeed, you’ll have a second shot! All First-Round winners are ineligible to win in the Second Round.

We look forward to seeing you at the festivities in a venue near you, and best of luck!

More Social Media Draft Fun

Enjoy sharing your location with friends? Use Foursquare to check-in to the Kings Neighborhood Draft Party you attend!