Monte McNair’s busy offseason continued on Friday night when Fox 40’s Sean Cunningham reported that former UC Davis star Chima Moneke has signed a contract with the Sacramento Kings. Australian basketball reporter Michael Houben later reported that it was a 2-year, partially guaranteed contract.
Former UC Davis star Chima Moneke is signing with the Sacramento Kings, according to sources. The former Aggies star is very familiar with the organization, has been playing internationally for the past few years and will bring defense, athleticism and length to the Kings.
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) July 15, 2022
Moneke’s connection to the area and organization doesn’t stop at UC Davis. Chima is also a member of the Nigerian National Team where Mike Brown, Jordi Fernandez and Luke Loucks have been coaching since February 2020.
Across 51 games in the Spanish ACB and BCL in 2021-22, Chima Moneke averaged 14.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. He shot 62% from the 2-point range, 30% from the 3-point range, and 73% from the foul line, according to basketnews.com.
The 26-year-old 6′ 6″ Nigerian-Australian forward also won MVP of the Basketball Champions League with BAXI Manresa last season.
Moneke’s story is one worth rooting for. From UC Davis to France to the Nigerian National Team, to Spain, all for a chance in the NBA – and now he’s getting one with the Kings. There is a need here for some forward depth and defense, so he’s got a shot to stick around and make a name for himself in the league.
Welcome to Sacramento, and best of luck to Chima Moneke!
Chima + Chimezie are going to help us sweep our playoff series!
Chim-Chim Cher-ee, indeed!
Is it a good or a bad thing that Mike Brown is surrounding himself with people he knows from the NIgerian NT?
Hopefully Gabe Vincent can be our 3rd guard then
Mike Brown: So I know this kid that played for Nigeria. A real prince of a guy –
Vivek: A Nigerian Prince? Sold! Where do I send the check???
Watching him as he miraculously single-handedly dragged a mediocre UC Davis team to the March Madness tournament was surreal. Despite a valiant effort on his part, they lost in the first round to Kansas starring Frank Mason Jr., Josh Jackson, and Devonta Graham. That being said, he looked like a shorter Thomas Robinson back then… Hope his game has evolved some
I like that they Kings aren’t picking up retreads and are instead taking flyers. I think both 2-way contacts are taken so I assume this is an minimum deal?
I support all Aggies.
Bossy cow cow.
It’s just a partially guaranteed camp invite contract, right? He’s not taking up one of the last roster spots, right?
I would hope not, given the holes that still need to be filled on this roster.
Monte just buying lottery tickets at the bodega at this point.
Make another big move, dude.
HB and/or Richaun likely get moved soon enough. I think any trades are on hold due to the KD, Spida, Kyrie situations.
I believe it’s inevitable HB and/or Holmes will not be suiting up for the Kings this season. I agree that once the dust settles with the major names out there, Monte will pull the trigger with a big move.
It’s just a gut feel on my part, or prediction, so we’ll have to see, but based on Monte’s moves so far and the direction he’s taking the team, a trade seems likely.
do we know if any of those situations gets cleared up before the start of the season? They might just run it back in B-town and who knows if or when Mitchell gets traded
These last two signings are the defintion of meh. Guess it’s that point of the off season.
Still need a 3rd ball handler/PG and I still don’t think we have a defensive rim protector big either. I’m guessint we don’t have two more roster spots available. Hopefully a trade is made at some point to upgrade the holes in the roster.
What I learned today: a “drippy camera” is a thing. Fun. Welcome to Sac Chima!!
Chima is a bit undersized but is quick as hell and has that dawg in him. Not a bad choice to round out the bench.
His recent highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJT_hcbjwWk
This is good, thank you for posting. He looks like a guy who can create his own shot, is very quick and athletic, does a bit of rim protecting, and has decent handles. I don’t expect to see a whole lot of him, but he could be a guy who can hold things down while the starters rest.
I am routinely the house Metu guy. Still am.
But this guy had something going at Davis. This isn’t a handshake local deal. He is a legit prospect, but a prospect to be sure. 1/100 he ever makes rotational big, but this is the guy you make that 1/100 Yogi Stewart bet on. I like it, I love It, I
want some more of it.
can we all take a moment to just be happy for the young man?
let’s get tropical!
Easy guy to root for. Let’s see how far he can climb!
I’d like to be happy for him an us, but apparently, he’s a lottery ticket at a bodega, and not Kevin Durant, so (checks notes) I guess we should rehire VD to run things.
He’s going to hustle and defend when he’s in, and for an end-of-bench guy, that is just fine.
Thank goodness we got someone that will challenge Keegan for PT..
I think that this signing shows that the FO is creative- going far and wide in a search for players who might help. Chima + Sasha + Okpala- looking everywhere.
May not find anyone but looking.
There is a PG from Space Jam…………………………
This is Mike Brown trying to establish culture. These guys were outmatched and beat a superior USA squad based on discipline and effort. Even with marginal NBA talent, they will bring a mindset to practice. Having coaches and players from an overachieving squad is a great thing to have at the end of the bench.
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