Doug Christie had the interim title removed less than a week ago before signing a new multi-year contract to take over as head coach of the Kings. Five days later, he was on the practice court observing the team’s first workouts ahead of the NBA Draft.Christie and Kings’ general manager, Scott Perry, primarily watched from the sidelines as members of the Kings basketball operations staff worked out a group of six NBA Draft hopefuls, headlined by Sacramento native Darrion Williams.Williams is a 22-year-old, 6-foot-6 forward who played at Texas Tech last season. He’s considered by many to be an early second-round pick, if not a late first-rounder in June’s NBA Draft. He helped lead the Red Raiders into the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament earlier this year.”It was a dream come true,” Williams told reporters following his workout. “I was nervous at first, but as we got going, I realized it was just basketball. Just being able to put the Kings jersey on has always been a dream of mine, so it was good.”Williams grew up in the Natomas area, attending Kings games as a child at ARCO Arena, where his mother used to work. He attended Capital Christian High School before relocating to Las Vegas following his sophomore season to attend Bishop Gorman High School, where he would rise to become one of the best players in the state of Nevada.Before his two seasons at Texas Tech, Williams first played for the Nevada Wolfpack in Reno. This past season, he appeared in 34 games (all as a starter) and averaged career-highs with 15.1 points and 3.6 assists, as well as 5.5 rebounds per game.Prior to his visit with the Kings, Williams accepted an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine, which will take place May 11-18 in Chicago.Joining Williams at Monday’s pre-draft workout was a group featuring players that will likely be available in the second round of the NBA Draft or be available as free agents should they go undrafted. Those players were Florida center Reuben Chinyelu, Kentucky center Amari Williams, Missouri guard Tamar Bates, Villanova guard Wooga Poplar and Georgia guard Silas Demary.| VIDEO BELOW | Sacramento Kings hold draft workout with Florida’s Reuben Chinyelu Players that become free agents would be available to be signed to the NBA roster, land a spot with the Summer League team, compete as training camp invites, or even play in the G League.The Kings presently own just a second-round pick – holding No. 42 overall in the Draft. They sit in 13th on the draft board ahead of next Monday’s NBA Draft Lottery.Sacramento will only get to keep a first-round pick if the lottery balls bounce their way, by jumping into the Draft’s top 4 picks. If not, that pick becomes property of the Atlanta Hawks to satisfy the trade to send Kevin Huerter to the Kings back in 2022. The Kings have a 3.8% chance of jumping into the top four.| VIDEO BELOW | Kentucky’s Amari Williams talks pre-draft workout with Sacramento KingsSee more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Doug Christie had the interim title removed less than a week ago before signing a new multi-year contract to take over as head coach of the Kings. Five days later, he was on the practice court observing the team’s first workouts ahead of the NBA Draft.
Christie and Kings’ general manager, Scott Perry, primarily watched from the sidelines as members of the Kings basketball operations staff worked out a group of six NBA Draft hopefuls, headlined by Sacramento native Darrion Williams.
Williams is a 22-year-old, 6-foot-6 forward who played at Texas Tech last season. He’s considered by many to be an early second-round pick, if not a late first-rounder in June’s NBA Draft. He helped lead the Red Raiders into the Elite 8 of the NCAA Tournament earlier this year.
“It was a dream come true,” Williams told reporters following his workout. “I was nervous at first, but as we got going, I realized it was just basketball. Just being able to put the Kings jersey on has always been a dream of mine, so it was good.”
Williams grew up in the Natomas area, attending Kings games as a child at ARCO Arena, where his mother used to work. He attended Capital Christian High School before relocating to Las Vegas following his sophomore season to attend Bishop Gorman High School, where he would rise to become one of the best players in the state of Nevada.
Before his two seasons at Texas Tech, Williams first played for the Nevada Wolfpack in Reno. This past season, he appeared in 34 games (all as a starter) and averaged career-highs with 15.1 points and 3.6 assists, as well as 5.5 rebounds per game.
Prior to his visit with the Kings, Williams accepted an invitation to the NBA Draft Combine, which will take place May 11-18 in Chicago.
Joining Williams at Monday’s pre-draft workout was a group featuring players that will likely be available in the second round of the NBA Draft or be available as free agents should they go undrafted. Those players were Florida center Reuben Chinyelu, Kentucky center Amari Williams, Missouri guard Tamar Bates, Villanova guard Wooga Poplar and Georgia guard Silas Demary.
| VIDEO BELOW | Sacramento Kings hold draft workout with Florida’s Reuben Chinyelu
Players that become free agents would be available to be signed to the NBA roster, land a spot with the Summer League team, compete as training camp invites, or even play in the G League.
The Kings presently own just a second-round pick – holding No. 42 overall in the Draft. They sit in 13th on the draft board ahead of next Monday’s NBA Draft Lottery.
Sacramento will only get to keep a first-round pick if the lottery balls bounce their way, by jumping into the Draft’s top 4 picks. If not, that pick becomes property of the Atlanta Hawks to satisfy the trade to send Kevin Huerter to the Kings back in 2022. The Kings have a 3.8% chance of jumping into the top four.
| VIDEO BELOW | Kentucky’s Amari Williams talks pre-draft workout with Sacramento Kings
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel