De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis crack top-25 in ESPN’s NBArank
Oct 11, 2023, 8:30 AM
(Rocky Widner/Getty Images)
(Rocky Widner/Getty Images)
A lot can change in one year.
Following last year’s impressive season, the Sacramento Kings received some respect in ESPN’s 2023-24 ‘NBArank’ player rankings.
Entering last season, the Kings didn’t have one player listed among the top 50 players in the NBA. This year, they have two players worthy of the nod as All-NBA talents De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis climbed the rankings after leading Sacramento to the NBA Playoffs.
NBArank continues đź‘€
The full list of rankings 11-50 ➡️ https://t.co/yCIvya3s5i pic.twitter.com/SUnSGLS95V
— ESPN (@espn) October 11, 2023
23. De’Aaron Fox
‘Swipa’ jumped into the top-25 during this year’s ESPN NBArank after an impressive regular season–and an even more eye-opening postseason performance.
Fox was a force for the Kings during a hard-fought seven-game series against the Golden State Warriors, averaging 27.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game.
After being ranked as the 54th-best player in the NBA last year, Fox has earned a significant bump following his first NBA All-Star and All-NBA nods in 2022-23.
22. Domantas Sabonis
Even while playing with a broken thumb, Sabonis had one of the best seasons from a center in the league’s lengthy history, averaging 19.1 points, 12.3 rebounds (led the NBA), and 7.3 assists (career-high) while shooting 61 percent from the field.
Only one other player in NBA history has averaged 19-12-7 while shooting 60 percent or higher from the field: Wilt Chamberlain.
The star center led the league in rebounds per game, total rebounds, and double-doubles (65) while also ranking top-five in win shares (12.6, second), offensive win shares (9.6, second), and assists (573, fifth).
Last year, Sabonis was ranked as the 47th-best player in the NBA—quite a jump for the talented big man.
Note: Harrison Barnes (96th) is the only other member of the Sacramento Kings to be ranked in ESPN’s NBArank.
Next Game
Sacramento will continue its preseason schedule on Wednesday night when they travel south for a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Lakers coverage, beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from Southern California.
Sacramento Kings 2023-24 Preseason Schedule
- Wednesday, October 11th – Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Lakers – 7 PM PST (in Anaheim, CA)
- Sunday, October 15th – Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors – 7 PM PST
- Wednesday, October 18th – Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors – 7 PM PST
- Thursday, October 19th – Sacramento Kings vs. Utah Jazz – 7 PM PST
Sacramento Kings 2023-24 Regular Season Schedule
- Tuesday, October 24th – NBA regular season begins
- Wednesday, October 25th – Sacramento Kings @ Utah Jazz – 6 PM (Season Opener)
- Friday, October 27th – Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors – 7 PM (Home Opener)
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