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Sacramento Kings rookie roundup: Week of February 18-February 24

By Ryan Ritter

SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 2: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings high fives teammates Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 and Buddy Hield #24 during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on October 2, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 2: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings high fives teammates Bogdan Bogdanovic #8 and Buddy Hield #24 during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on October 2, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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A pair of close home losses yielded solid, if not spectacular, performances from the Sacramento Kings rookies. Who is atop the Rookie Roundup this week?

For the tank-minded, this was a good week for the Sacramento Kings (for the record, I include myself amongst the tank-happy; better rookies mean better Rookie Roundups).  This week brought a pair of close losses, including a home loss against the dastardly Los Angeles Lakers.  Which of the Kings’ foursome of rookies stood out?  How’s De’Aaron Fox‘s pink eye?  Most importantly, did Frank Mason get to make his proper debut on the Rookie Roundup?  Read on to find out!

Bogdan Bogdanovic

Weekly Stats: 12.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 0.5 stls, 0.5 blks, 45.0% FG, 50.0% 3PT, 100.0% FT

Season to date: 11.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.0 stls, 0.3 blks, 46.4% FG, 40.4% 3PT, 84.5% FT

Bogdan Bogdanovic‘s weekly line wasn’t as impressive as the past two weeks.  Nevertheless, it was a quieter week for the rooks in general, so his game against the Lakers is enough for Bogi to three-peat as Rookie Roundup champ.  His four-point play that almost brought the Kings back against LA last night was a particular stand-out, and more than made up for his poor shooting night against the Thunder.

De’Aaron Fox

Weekly Stats: 13.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 6.0 apg, 1.0 stl, 0 blks, 38.5% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 66.7% FT

Season to date: 11.3 ppg, 2.6 pg, 4.3 apg, 1.0 stls, 0.3 blks, 40.9% FG, 32.7% 3PT, 73.2% FT

Related Story: De'Aaron Fox's mid-season report card

Fox only appeared in one game this week (he missed the Thunder game due to conjunctivitis), but he seemed to slide right back in against the Lakers.  However, a below-average shooting night is what sunk him, along with his slightly smaller sample size.  Still, even with an extended break and a missed game, Fox’s motor hasn’t seemed to decrease any, which is fantastic and encouraging news if you’re a Kings fan.

Frank Mason

Weekly Stats: 6.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 0.5 stls, 0.0 blks, 44.4% FG, 0.0% 3PT, 100.0% FT

Season to Date: 7.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 0.5 stls, 0.1 blks, 38.8% FG, 40.9% 3PT, 77.6% FT

Look who it is!  Frank Mason III made his return to the court this week, albeit on a minutes restriction.  For only getting about 15 minutes of action per game, however, Mason was efficient off the bench, including scoring six points and six assists on Saturday.  As his minutes increase, look for him to get back into early season form.  Good to have you back, Frank!

Next: Willie Cauley-Stein's mid-season report card

Justin Jackson

Weekly Stats: 2.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.0 stls, 0.0 blks, 20.0% FG, 0% 3PT, 0% FT

Season to date: 5.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.4 stls, 0.2 blks, 42.4% FG, 29.6% 3PT, 65.2%

Justin Jackson ended up playing only 17 minutes against the Lakers and was primarily a no-show overall this week, which was a shame given how steady his game had become before the All-Star break.  Hopefully, he can shake this week off and get back to business tomorrow against the Timberwolves.

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