Willie Cauley-Stein: Spark Plug Out of Nowhere!

Willie Cauley-Stein has recently received more playing time and he is proving to be just the spark the Sacramento Kings need.  This article examines Willie Cauley-Stein’s recent exploits.

Make some room, the big man, Willie Cauley-Stein, is ready to get down to business!

With a little more space on the Kings’ squad, Willie Cauley-Stein has been playing more minutes than ever before. Cauley-Stein averages 6.7 points, a .556 field goal percentage, 0.6 assists, and 4.3 rebounds, while playing 18.2 minutes per game. Last week, Cauley-Stein led the Kings to beat the Denver Nuggets by scoring 29 points and securing 10 rebounds. That set a new career-high in points, but this is just the beginning.

In the last four games, everyone has noticed a spark in Willie’s game. This leadership role was exactly what he needed. Every rookie needs meaningful time on the floor. Being a 2015 round one 6th overall NBA draft pick from Kentucky, it is obvious that he is experienced, but college basketball compared to the NBA is on an entirely different level; it can be challenging to find your groove, mesh with teammates, and play against experienced, elite athletes. There is immense pressure; higher expectations and you need to be good – really good when called onto the floor.

During this Sacramento Kings rebuild, Cauley-Stein looks solid. He’s kicked his game up a notch – staying underneath the basket, setting smart screens, rejecting shots with big blocks, snatching rebounds, and putting up points when he can. Where has Willie been all of our lives? He is exactly what the Sacramento Kings need to work with alongside Buddy Hield, Ben McLemore and Darren Collison.

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Fans knew this would be a rocky start for the young team, but with Willie Cauley-Stein’s newfound spark and some newly acquired talent, the Kings will be back on the rise to claim their throne in no time.