The time has come for the Sacramento Kings to defend its NBA Summer League crown.
On the heels of a perfect 3-0 showing at last weekend’s California Classic at Chase Center in San Francisco, the Kings will begin their Las Vegas Summer League slate of games on Saturday afternoon against number-one overall pick Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic.
Banchero, a 6’10 forward with the ability to score the ball at will, averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on 47 percent shooting from the field and 33 percent from beyond the three-point arc during 39 appearances for Duke.
The 19-year-old will come face-to-face with fellow top-four selection Keegan Murray on Saturday in a matchup of two high-level prospects from the 2022 draft class.
Murray impressed during the California Classic, ranking first among all players in points per game (19.7) to help lead Sacramento to three-straight victories.
Murray during the California Classic (3 games)
19.7 PTS | 8.0 REB | 1.3 STL | 51% FG | 43% 3PT | 34.1 MIN
Keep an eye on the Murray vs Banchero matchup, as the two forwards will likely find themselves lined up against each-other on the defensive end. Sacramento will hope to utilize Murray’s 6’11 wingspan against Banchero on Saturday as they look to limit the former Blue Devil’s mobility in and around the paint.
Murray swiped 1.3 steals per game during the California Classic and displayed a sense of calmness and control on both ends of the floor. The former Iowa product’s defensive track record from college (1.3 steals and 1.9 blocks per game) have appeared to have carried over onto early Summer League play thus far.
We’ll see if Murray can continue his run of success against a formidable opponent in Banchero.
Hello, Old Friend
Former Sacramento Kings forward Justin James will lace up for the Orlando Magic on Saturday afternoon to face his former team.
James, 25, was drafted by Sacramento with the 40th overall selection in the 2019 NBA Draft. The 6’7 wing averaged 3.2 points per game on 44 percent shooting from the field and 34 percent shooting from beyond the three-point line over 72 appearances with the organization during the 2019-21 seasons.
While playing for the G-League’s Cleveland Charge during the 2021-22 season, James averaged an impressive 17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game on 45/36/77 shooting splits during 14 games (five starts).
Sacramento Kings vs Orlando Magic Game Info
- July 9, 2022
- 1:00 PM PST
- Thomas & Mack Center – Las Vegas, NV
- TV: ESPN
Sacramento Kings NBA 2K23 Las Vegas Summer League Roster
| NO. | PLAYER | POS. | HT. | WT. | DOB | COLLEGE/HOME COUNTRY | YRS. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Ade Murkey | F | 6-5 | 200 | 01/29/98 | Denver/USA | 1 |
| 13 | Keegan Murray | F | 6-8 | 215 | 08/19/00 | Iowa/USA | R |
| 17 | Frankie Ferrari | G | 6-1 | 188 | 12/20/95 | San Francisco/USA | R |
| 18 | DJ Steward | G | 6-2 | 163 | 10/02/01 | Duke/USA | R |
| 19 | Sean McDermott | G | 6-6 | 195 | 11/03/96 | Butler/USA | 1 |
| 20 | TJ Starks | G | 6-2 | 196 | 09/11/98 | Cal St. Northridge/USA | R |
| 23 | Matt Coleman | G | 6-2 | 180 | 01/22/98 | Texas/USA | R |
| 24 | Elijah Brown | F | 6-4 | 200 | 02/19/95 | Oregon/USA | R |
| 32 | Jared Rhoden | F | 6-6 | 210 | 08/27/99 | Seton Hall/USA | R |
| 34 | Keon Ellis | G | 6-6 | 175 | 01/08/00 | Alabama/USA | R |
| 35 | Alex O’Connell | G | 6-6 | 185 | 06/02/99 | Creighton/USA | R |
| 42 | Jeriah Horne | F | 6-7 | 220 | 04/09/98 | Tulsa/USA | R |
| 43 | Brandon Childress | G | 6-0 | 195 | 08/31/97 | Wake Forest/USA | R |
| 50 | Nate Sestina | C | 6-9 | 234 | 05/12/97 | Kentucky/USA | R |
| 88 | Neemias Queta | C | 7-0 | 245 | 07/13/99 | Utah St./Portugal | 1 |
Sacramento Kings Upcoming Schedule
NBA 2K23 Summer League in Las Vegas (July 7-17th)
- vs Orlando Magic – Saturday, July 9 – 1:00 pm PST
- vs Indiana Pacers – Sunday, July 10 – 12:00 pm PST
- vs Oklahoma City Thunder – Wednesday, July 13 – 5:00 pm PST
- vs Phoenix Suns – Friday, July 15 – 5:00 pm PST
- Final game TBD
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