NBA Draft Expert loves Kings’ Emanuel Sharp pick, sees Eddie House similarities

The Sacramento Kings believe they found one of the top shooters in the 2026 NBA Draft when they selected Emanuel Sharp with the 45th overall pick, and one NBA Draft expert believes the Houston product could make an impact sooner rather than later.

Speaking after the draft, Bleacher Report NBA Draft analyst Jonathan Wasserman praised the selection, calling Sharp one of his favorite value picks and comparing the rookie guard to former Kings fan favorite Eddie House.

“I love this pick. I love it for Sacramento,” Wasserman said. “He is one of the best shot makers in the draft, and not just three-point shot making, very good two-point shot maker too.”

Gave Emanuel Sharp an Eddie House comp last night after Sacramento grabbed him at 45 pic.twitter.com/cAgck3cJzM

— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) June 25, 2026

More on Kings guard Emanuel Sharp

Emanuel Sharp spent four seasons at Houston, averaging 11.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 37 percent from three-point range during his collegiate career.

As a senior, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound guard averaged 15.5 points and shot 89 percent from the free-throw line, leading the Big 12.

He also helped lead the Cougars to the Final Four, earning NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player honors in 2025 while also being named the Most Outstanding Player of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship.

Wasserman believes his elite shot-making gives him a chance to carve out a role in Sacramento’s rotation.

“I think he’s got the chance to be one of those outliers who can find a way to succeed as a small guard who doesn’t really create for other guys,” Wasserman said.

With questions surrounding the Kings’ backcourt depth entering the season, Wasserman believes there is an opportunity for Sharp to earn minutes alongside players such as Zach LaVine or fellow rookie Darius Acuff Jr.

“When we look at the depth of Sacramento, I think there’s some questions about their guard spot and some of the shooting there,” Wasserman said.

Emanuel Sharp #21 of the Houston Cougars looks on against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Toyota Center on March 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

“Devin Carter really hasn’t panned out. I think that there is a possibility that we can see Sharp jump into this rotation somewhere, playing, I don’t know, off the bench, or maybe even with Zach LaVine or Acuff, so he’s got one job to do, and that’s make shots.”

Wasserman also pointed to Emanuel Sharp’s winning pedigree and steady style of play as reasons he could outperform his draft position.

“He’s won a million games in college. He’s tough. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes,” Wasserman said. “At this point in the draft, to be able to get a specialist type of guy like Sharp with a valued archetype, it reminds me a lot of Eddie House.”

House spent the 2004-05 season with Sacramento, shooting 45 percent from three-point range over 50 games. The 11-year veteran was known for his three-point abiity during his lenghy NBA carer.

Wasserman sees similarities in the way both players can change games with their shooting.

“Eddie House was that 6-foot-1, 6-foot-2 guy who found a way to stick because he was such a tough shot maker and hit a lot of big shots in big moments,” Wasserman said. “That’s what Sharp does.”

For more on new Sacramento Kings guard Emanuel Sharp, click here.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

The Sacramento Kings will now set their sights on the California Classic, with action set to run from July 4th through July 6th at Golden 1 Center.

New Kings point guard Darius Acuff Jr. (7th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft) will go head-to-head against Brooklyn Nets guard Mikel Brown Jr. (6th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft) at 2 pm PT on July 4th, right here in downtown Sacramento.

Be sure to remain locked into Sactown Sports for your Sacramento Kings Summer League news, analysis, and much more!

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Offseason Schedule

• Tuesday, June 30th – NBA Free Agency negotiation period begins (3 PM PT)
• Saturday, July 4th – Monday, July 6th – California Classic at Golden 1 Center
• Thursday, July 9th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League begins
• Monday, July 13th – Free Agency moratorium ends / signings can become official

Sacramento Kings California Classic Schedule

Games played at Golden 1 Center

• Saturday, July 4th – vs. Brooklyn Nets (2 p.m. PT)
• Sunday, July 5th – vs. Golden State Warriors (2 p.m. PT)
• Monday, July 6th – vs. Milwaukee Bucks (7 p.m. PT)

2026 Sacramento Kings Las Vegas Summer League Schedule

• Thursday, July 9: vs. Los Angeles Clippers (8 p.m. PT)
• Sunday, July 12: vs. Washington Wizards (5 p.m. PT)
• Tuesday, July 14: vs. Brooklyn Nets (3 p.m. PT)
• Wednesday, July 15: vs. Boston Celtics (5 p.m. PT)
• Final game TBD

Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on X/Twitter and Google News, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Related

Will the 26-27 Kings be a Bottom-5 Team in the NBA?A’s Injury Updates: Clarke mashing during rehab stint, Severino progressingUC Davis Football enters 2026 with Big Sky championship expectationsESPN projects Sacramento Kings to finish last in Western ConferenceSacramento Kings to honor Rick Adelman with jersey band during 2026-27 seasonKeegan Murray still has a key role to play in Kings’ rebuild