The Kings announced today that the annual California Classic Summer League will be returning to Sacramento this year on July 3rd and 5th for two days of triple-headers. This year will also mark the first time additional teams will be brought in as the San Antonio Spurs and Charlotte Hornets (owners of the #1 and #2 picks in the 2023 NBA Draft respectively) will join the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat.
That means that it’s possible that Victor Wembanyama, the almost certain #1 pick and perhaps the most heralded prospect since LeBron James, could make his debut in Sacramento. It’s also important to note that Wembanyama is also currently playing in his league’s playoffs in France and could be held out of this tournament by the Spurs in order to get some rest and not risk injury.
The Kings will play two games, the first on July 3rd at 7pm against the Warriors and the second on July 5th against the Heat. Sacramento owns the 24th, 38th and 54th picks as of now and could also possibly bring out Keegan Murray to play.
Each day will feature a triple-header matchup with all six teams participating. ???? pic.twitter.com/6cJeIxFSmA
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) May 31, 2023
Tickets go on sale starting tomorrow for current Season Ticket Holders and on Monday, June 5th at 12 pm for the general public.
Confirmed: Wemby to Sacramento…. forthe Classic!
I always find it interesting the Sacramento is big enough to host multiple NBA teams and NCAA teams for the California Classic and the NCAA Tourney, but apparently doesn’t have the hotel space to host All-Star weekend.
To double down on that. Aftershock Festival has about 150K attendees with no less than 80 live acts over 4 days. There is no way the NBA’s All-Star Weekend is bigger than that.
But the other events are primarily a local/regional draw, and don’t generate the same kind of demand for lodging. Creighton isn’t flying ten thousand people to Sacramento for opening weekend games. I go just to see a bunch of basketball, but I wouldn’t travel to Los Angeles of Las Vegas to do it.
I don’t have any statistics, but I’d bet that for All-Star games not in New York or Los Angeles, the percentage of people attending who root for that arena’s home team is pretty small.
If All Star Weekend is a 10 in size and complexity……
California Classic is a 0.000002.
NCAA Regional is a 2.
Not even comparable.
Really? This is from the Golden One’s website.
Are you telling me the All-Star game is bigger than that? Do you have data to the contrary?
Cleveland reported 121,000 visitors and $121 million in economic impact. Source:
Given the disparity in money, I am guessing the two are using different definitions of visitors. I think G1C is listing people who came downtown who otherwise weren’t downtown, so it would still include locals coming into downtown, but I am just speculating on that based on the major monetary differences.
Google it…..the Cleveland All Star Weekend reports anywhere from $100MM to $250MM. Depends on what you count. G1 has never done anything on the same planet as that.
I have been to the NCAA regionals here many times. The monster trucks and Disney on Ice draw more people.
Sac with California Classic (Sacramento, Golden State, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat as the originals (why fourth California team, Los Angeles Clippers don’t but /shrug) and now add San Antonio and Charlotte on July 3 and 5.
On July 3,5 and 6 there is the Salt Lake City Summer League (formerly known as the Rocky Mountain Revue) which hosts, Utah, Memphis, OKC and Philadelphia.
July 7 begins the ten day all 30 Team NBA Las Vegas Summer League, now with Championship rings to add to the trophy.
It’s great to have this event local and accessible for reasonable cost.
No need to attend just to see Vic, you’ll see plenty of him in your nightmares for the next fifteen years.
which matchups are you most anxious to see for Wemby?
Here’s 3:
Jokic
Gobert
Holmgren
OT: Daaaaaaang, Monty getting paid!
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1664093978646700037
I’ll be there July 5th!
Badge Legend