The California Classic returns to Sacramento after an ill-advised dalliance in San Francisco last year. The Kings play host to two days of action, with two additional teams joining the action this year.
The full schedule:
July 3rd
Heat vs Lakers – 3:00 PM PT
Spurs vs Hornets – 5:00 PM PT
Warriors vs Kings – 7:00 PM PT
July 5th
Warriors vs Hornets – 3:00 PM PT
Spurs vs Lakers – 5:00 PM PT
Heat vs Kings – 7:00 PM PT
Kings assistant Luke Loucks will coach this year’s squad. The full Kings roster is as follows.
| No. | Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Birthdate | Prior to NBA/Country | Exp |
| 8 | Souley Boum | G | 6-3 | 175 | 01/26/99 | Xavier/USA | R |
| 22 | Chance Comanche | C | 6-10 | 210 | 04/14/96 | Portland Trail Blazers/USA | 1 |
| 24 | Mike Daum | C | 6-9 | 235 | 10/30/95 | Bertram Tortona/USA | R |
| 17 | Kessler Edwards | F | 6-8 | 215 | 08/09/00 | Pepperdine/USA | 3 |
| 23 | Keon Ellis | G | 6-5 | 175 | 01/08/00 | Alabama/USA | 1 |
| 34 | Aleem Ford | F | 6-8 | 220 | 12/22/97 | Leones de Ponce/USA | 1 |
| 31 | Jordan Ford | G | 6-1 | 175 | 05/26/98 | St. Mary’s College/USA | R |
| 26 | Dane Goodwin | G | 6-6 | 214 | 12/28/99 | Notre Dame/USA | R |
| 20 | Colby Jones | G/F | 6-6 | 205 | 05/28/02 | Xavier/USA | R |
| 13 | Keegan Murray | F | 6-8 | 215 | 08/19/00 | Iowa/USA | 1 |
| 32 | Justyn Mutts | F | 6-7 | 220 | 01/04/99 | Virginia Tech/USA | R |
| 30 | Alex O’Connell | F | 6-6 | 185 | 06/02/99 | Creighton/USA | R |
| 88 | Neemias Queta | C | 7-0 | 245 | 07/13/99 | Utah State/Portugal | 2 |
| 18 | Jalen Slawson | F | 6-7 | 218 | 10/22/99 | Furman/USA | R |
| 33 | Jake Stephens | C | 6-11 | 270 | 11/05/99 | Chattanooga/USA | R |
We don’t expect Keegan Murray to play extended minutes this summer, but he’ll likely play at least a couple of minutes in both games of the California Classic to give the locals a show.
This will also be our first look at the Kings newly-signed draft picks, Colby Jones and Jalen Slawson. The Kings will also have familiar faces Kessler Edwards, Keon Ellis, and Neemias Queta.
The California Classic will be aired on ESPN this year, so don’t let anybody tell you that the Kings don’t get national TV games!
Feel free to use this as a game thread for today’s event.
I heard a rumor by some comment in one of these article comment threads over the last 48 hours that said the Kings signed Queta to a contract with the big club. I see nothing about this anywhere. Was that person full of shit or is Queta officially part of the 15 man roster as of right now?
I believe the person who wrote that assumed that because the $1.7MM QO was offered, it meant that Queta signed a contract.
He can’t really go anywhere else, so in reality the only issue is whether or not the Kings sign him to a full big-boy contract or if he gets the 3rd 2-way. They’re probably waiting to see what happens with T. Craig (if we’re really looking to sign him at least).
in the regards to the 2-way contract: after typing that, I don’t think 2-ways are allowed after receiving a QO, I believe if he signs the QO, its a one-year deal or they could agree to another deal for more years
The team also tendered a qualifying offer to its other two-way player from ’22/23, Neemias Queta, but because Queta has been on a two-way deal with the Kings for two seasons instead of just one, his QO is equivalent to a standard (partially guaranteed) minimum-salary deal rather than another two-way contract.
Hoops Rumors
T. Craig to Bulls
thanks
I’m glad you posted this, I had assumed we’d be shut out for television.
Of course, it’s ESPN, so there is still a decision to make. Although, no Jalen Rose, which is just tremendous.
Now just need to get rid of the rest of their NBA staff hehe.
Letting go of JVG and not Mark Jackson is a travesty.
Getting rid of both would’ve made too much sense. They’re both horrible commentators. I’d listen to their podcast, though.
Does anybody know of any way to watch this besides ESPN, and of course being there?
Just put it in on mute.
Not a fan of KM playing, what’s the point of exposing him to injury when he obvioulsy doesn’t need the run
they want him to get some wiggle and to get some rebounds
He needs the salsa. I just hope it doesn’t get chippy.
He said he wants to play.
Players can get hurt in practice or training, 3 on 3 team scrimmages, preseason, etc.
or by simply having a bad dream
“Hill landed himself on the disabled list because he woke from a nightmare about spiders chasing him, and in a frightened semiconscious state, he fell through a glass table and suffered scrapes and bruises on his feet, knees and elbows.“
Yeah, but I’m a fan of that dunk. Holy smokes. I want him to bring that in the regular season.
Keegan with a monster jam to start the game!
One minute of play and I’ve seen all I need from Keegan this Summer League
Love seeing some dog in Keegan. You’re the best player out there, show out!
Keon flashing some defensive chops early.
Like what I’m seeing out of Jones already.
Early days, but he looks smooth running the offense doesn’t he?
He didn’t handle on ball pressure well
Maybe we have our third point guard in Jordon Ford
He looked good out there, very very small but was pesky and ran a good offense
The Stockton Kings look good tonight
(Frank) Ferrari of last Summer replaced by a (Justin) Ford
First half thoughts
Aggressive Keegan could really be a huge player for us. Still not super comfortable with the ball in his hands it seems but has made some really good drives and shots. Steal and 3 at end of the quarter was beautiful
Keegan and Kessler look to have both put on some muskles
Slawson is bigger than what I assumed. He could have a role but probably ends up in stockton
Colby is looking nice after a couple bad plays to end the 1st quarter. Has a good feel for the game
Ellis is pesky and bounces around the court kind of like DDV
I really like Podz so far. Does alot of things that don’t show on the stats
Ellis has looked like an NBA-level defensive specialist. He’s gotten his hands in on a couple different plays and seized on transition opportunities. Lots of work to do on the offensive end tho – shooting, finishing, and playmaking (especially on the break) have all seemed lacking. If he can’t be viable on offense, he’s just a shorter KZ Okpala.
Queta shows flashes but is so erratic. He’s often out of position and recovering wildly which leads to fouls, and why he doesn’t rebound as much as he should. He’s an incredible rim protector at his size with his athleticism, but the feel for the game is lacking. I’d like to see him running Sabonis’ DHO role more to see how he handles it.
Colby Jones is an NBA rotation player. Just a polished, poised, intelligent player with a great feel for the game and crafty layup package. He’s engaged on both ends of the ball. Not enough self creation or handling to be a lead playmaker, but will be awesome playing off Fox and Sabonis. If the shot is real, he’s going to be awesome.
Keegan may be taking a leap forward. Love to see the aggressiveness. The confidence compared to this time last year is night and day. He’s realized he can perform at the highest level in our playoff series, and he’s acting like the NBA stud among G-Leaguers that he is. He looks like he’s put on some muscle, and he’s moving his feet and staying vertical well on defense. Lots to like. Self-creation still a question mark, but he’s an excellent play finisher.
Edwards and Slawson haven’t shown enough but I’m intrigued by them, too.
I had seats right behind Malik and Davion. My friend said Isn’t that Monk? and I was like No way, who wears their own jersey and dresses like they’re doing a late-nite run to Wendy’s? LOL, shows what I know. Impressions of the young guys:
-Keegan looks like he wants a leading role on this team. Expect a bump in 3-pt attempts this year.
-Edwards has the physical tools, he just needs more body control around the basket to avoid charges.
-Colby Jones has a high motor and created a couple turnovers just on hustle. Looked like a natural scorer, but I’m not sure his ball handling under pressure will hold up.
-Slawson is big, but lacked some quickness and didn’t really look for his shot.
-Ellis never took the ball to the rim or even felt like he put pressure on the defense. I didn’t see the tools for him tonight.
-Queta started a lot of possessions with the ball at the top of the arc, like they were replicating the offense with Sabonis. Makes sense, but I don’t think it will translate since he doesn’t have that skillset. He was good on the boards, and hit a couple face up shots around the basket, He didn’t try to get past/through guys like in past years.
-Jordon Ford is a good ball handler, and if he can hit 3’s at this rate, he might have a spot. But he’s pretty small.
The refs called a technical for a Flop on the Dubs, almost a random play while the Kings brought the ball past half court. The jumbotron flashed a huge message about a trial the NBA is doing this year for flopping, I guess they’re reacting quickly to what happened in the playoffs. Not sure if its just for Summer League, or also regular season.
Sat across from you and yes that was indeed Malik and Davion. and the new GM for the Stockton team too.
Keegan went 10/11 from the line- he needs to get fouled more often, like this in the regular season. Free points. Did not shoot well but acted like he belonged. and they had him guard little guys on defense- like Podz. Disappointed in Keon- did not even defend that well. Q is huge but does not always play like that. Turns away from the hoop too often.
Edwards a disappointment as well – 0/7 from 3. Jordan Ford is a scrapper- but too small. Will carve out long career in minor leagues.
Slawson was just sort of there but not active.
C. Jones has a loose handle, and he will probably be third PG but will get pressured.
Does hustle on D and has a variety on O. I want him to outplay and outscore Podz over the season. Close in this game- both with 12.
Deep bench pretty mediocre. Did not see the new tall guy- Stevens?
Who wears their own jersey? The same type of person who gets their last name tattooed on their tricep, that’s who!
well he could be Gary Payton who named all 3 of his sons Gary, 2,3 and 4.
This is spot on from my perspective. It’s been my issue with Queta all along. I just don’t get the hype with him.
Kings starting 5 have vastly more talent but baby duds hung tough to start. Colby Jones looks like he could definitely be the 3rd string PG.
I agree. Made some nice plays when he got settled. Loved his first bucket. Just needs time.
Colby Jones really does not seem like a third string PG or a PG at all at this point in his career.
Is the first n in Quinones silent or has Draper mispronounced it all night?
always assume Draper mispronounced the name or named the wrong player entirely, he’s wrong most of the time which is kind of his super-power
Light the Summer Beam?
Thoughts from the nosebleeds…
Queta seems close to being our 3rd Center and may play his way into that contract over the course of the Cali Classic and Vegas Summer League. Unfortunately, he seems just as close to having one final year on a 2 way. These next few games I think are big for him. He needs to have a game or 2 where he just absolutely dominates.
I would love it if we traded for Patty Mills, but Colby Jones sure could be the 3rd string PG this year. Once he got settled he played a solid game. Of course, he made some bonehead mistakes but it was his first game. He seems like he approaches the game the same way as Keegan. He just lets the game come to him and is very patient. Excited to see him develop this summer and throughout the regular season.
Keegan had an effortless and, dare I say, pointless 29 points. I do like that he’s getting reps at this point of the year but…why? That dunk was exciting to see though. If he takes one lunar leap forward we have a dangerous starting 5. Super team just middle aged.
I love that we have Keon slowly developing in Stockton. I love his game. A potential bonus of signing Queta to a contract could be him developing a lot more offensively this year.
The Light the Beam chants were hilarious. I love how ridiculous Kings fans are.
Kings need an experienced guy to play third string PG. Not Jones.
Too bad the full game wasn’t available on LP, but was able to see all the possessions.
Really liked some things I saw from Jones: he seems under control at all times and had some nice finishes around the basket. The thing I liked most were his hit-ahead passes, a sign of basketball intelligence to me. Hoping to see more of him in the next games!
It was nice. Not Donte Greene nice, but nice nontheless.
The legend of Doratio Kane lives on…
~
Bol Bol got waived. Seems like a guy to take a chance on.
when they let him go, they did not have to open the door, He just slid out between the door itself and the door jam.
He is as thin as a whisper.
Agreed. He could be that 3rd center the Kings need.
The talent and skill is there, just needs to figure out how to be consistent.
I’d disagree. His numbers make Alex Len look like an elite rebounder and rim protector.
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