The Sacramento Kings rookies all took their shot at late-game theatrics this week. Which one stood out the most on this week’s Rookie Roundup?
The Sacramento Kings rookies had a wild week. Three of them got their own moment to shine late in a game. Two of them got to play hero in a truly wild final minute against the Grizzlies. Although I have one foot firmly planted inside the Kings Tank, it is nice to know the tank got thrown off a bit by a young core which is unafraid of the big moments. As we all know, only one can take the crown in this week’s Rookie Roundup. With a couple of standouts to choose from, it wasn’t easy. Read on to find out who the champion is!
(As always, the Rookie Roundup defines the week as Sunday-Saturday. Thus, this column covers the games against the Lakers, the Suns and the Grizzlies.)
Bogdan Bogdanovic
Weekly Stats: 15.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.0 stls, 0.0 blks, 46.2% FG, 37.5% 3PT, 75.0% FT
Season to Date: 11.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 0.9 stls, 0.2 blks, 44.9% FG, 39.6% 3PT, 84.0% FT
A highlight reel dagger to clinch a win against the Grizzlies capped a stellar week for Bogdan Bogdanovic. Yes, Bogi can add another game-winner with a hand in his face to add to his season highlight reel. He also had an excellent showing against the Lakers and the Suns earlier in the week. It’s frankly thrilling that we have two players on rookie contracts that are confident and comfortable taking the final shot at the end of games. Bogdanovic’s memorable basket earned him a victory lap and the top spot in this week’s Rookie Roundup.
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De’Aaron Fox
Weekly Stats: 13.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.3 stls, 0.3 blks, 31.1% FG, 22.2% 3PT, 78.6% FT
Season to Date: 11.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.0 stls, 0.3 blks, 41.0% FG, 29.9% 3PT, 72.9% FT
De’Aaron Fox probably had the best line of the four rookies, but mostly because he shot more often than usual. He averaged 15 field goal attempts (he averages 10.8 FGA a game, for comparison), and yielded a little under 14 points. Not great, but not necessarily a reason to panic. The rookie wall is a real phenomenon, and these late games are pretty stakes-free. The point being, I’m not particularly concerned about his poor shooting this week. Also, perhaps as a result of the rest of the team getting comfortable with each other, Fox’s assist total is starting to trend upwards. As long as Fox continues to show that he thrives in late-game situations (he had another great moment at the end of the game against the Lakers), I can forgive him his weaknesses in other areas.
Justin Jackson
Weekly Stats: 11.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.3 stls, 0.3 blks, 46.4% FG, 42.9% 3PT, 100.0% FT
Season to Date: 6.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.4 stls, 0.2 blks, 45.2% FG, 32.2% 3PT, 72.2% FT
Bogdanovic got the last laugh, but don’t forget that Justin Jackson had the first potential game clincher against Memphis. He nailed a smooth 3-pointer and showcased his fearlessness. Jackson has been a sneaky good presence off the bench for the Kings this year, and should not be missing on any end-of-year retrospectives in the coming weeks. Though not nearly as flashy as the two guys above him on this list (or even the guy below him), his steady play has been a true asset this year, no matter what Kyle Kuzma thinks.
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Frank Mason
Weekly Stats: 4.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.3 stls, 0.0 blks, 21.1% FG, 25.0% 3PT, 75.0% FT
Season to Date: 7.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 0.7 stls, 0.2 blks, 37.9% FG, 36.0% 3PT, 81.7% FT
An altogether forgettable week for Frank Mason, with easily the worst shooting of his young career. Still, he brings an energy and drive to the court when he plays, so all is not lost just yet. Hopefully, the Kings add to the roster and define Mason‘s role this offseason so that he can return to his efficient ways from earlier this season.