Coming into his rookie season, Willie Cauley-Stein carried heavy expectations that come along with a sixth overall pick and a seasoned college player who was poised to make an immediate impact on the professional level.
So far, so good.
Trill posted a solid rookie campaign with the Kings, registering averages of seven points and 5.6 rebounds in his 21.4 minutes per contest. The rookie would play in 66 games, 39 of which he started.
Additionally, the former Kentucky Wildcat logged a total of 3.8 win shares this season, a metric used to estimate the number of team victories an individual contributes throughout the year. Cauley-Stein’s 3.8 win shares also tied him for fourth most on the team with Rudy Gay.
Beyond the stat sheets, Willie demonstrated his value on the defensive end by being a constant presence in the paint to block or alter opponents’ shot attempts while also having the length and quickness to match up against smaller positions on the perimeter.
As the season progressed, Cauley-Stein unveiled his ability to score in more ways than simply dunks or lay-ups by getting it done in the post with hook shots and even expanding his range to mid-range jumpers.
Key Moment
In just his second NBA game ever, Trill made his presence known with a strong performance against the rival Los Angeles Lakers. The Kings big man would record 17 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks in Sacramento’s runaway victory over L.A.
Cauley-Stein would go on to top that performance with a career-high 26-point outburst against the Phoenix Suns in March.
Willie also showcased his unreal athleticism by rising up for a monster dunk against Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Quotables
Trill on being labeled as a primarily defensive player: “I’m a hooper. I do everything – I do it all. So when that stipulation leaves, it’s going to be cool where you’re just not (a defender), but I don’t think it ever will. People don’t want to see that. People ain’t ready for that. They want it to be, ‘You’re a defensive stopper.’ Well, I’m a defensive stopper, and I’ll go get 20 on you if I get the chance.” (Via Sacramento Bee)
Cauley-Stein on his playing style: “When I (start), I do the same thing as when I come off the bench – play with a lot of energy. You can only control your energy and effort, so I fly around and be extra active, and it makes everybody else do it. It’s my game plan.” (Via Sacramento Bee)
Willie on what he his goals for his rookie season: “My whole mentality my rookie year is nobody outworks me. That’s going to build the foundation. As soon as I become a vet, I already have that niche on me, like, you’re not going to outwork him, so what do you do now? You can’t outwork him, so he’s just going to keep coming back -- he’s going to come with another wave, another wave and that’s the kind of thing I’m trying to build now. It’s like an unlimited amount of waves that’s just going to come and come and come.” (Via CSN Bay Area)
Looking Forward
Following a solid rookie season, Trill will now set his sights on continuing to improve as his value to this Kings team continues to increase.
Cauley-Stein’s adaptability and desire to help the team in any way possible makes him an essential part of the Kings future moving forward. With a season in the Association now under his belt, Willie will continue to keep building his repertoire on offense while also refining his potential to be one of the elite defenders in this League.
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