Kings Select BYU's Jimmer Fredette in First Round

Kings select Tyler Honeycutt (35th) and Isaiah Thomas (60th) in the second round

SACRAMENTO, CA, June 23, 2011 -- The Sacramento Kings tonight (Thursday, June 23rd) selected BYU’s Jimmer Fredette (10th overall), UCLA’s Tyler Honeycutt (35th overall), and Washington’s Isaiah Thomas (60th overall), according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

In a three-team trade, the Kings acquired forward-guard John Salmons and the draft rights of Fredette (selected 10th overall by Milwaukee) from the Bucks. Milwaukee received guard Beno Udrih from the Kings and swingman Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston, and the draft rights to Tobias Harris (selected 19th by Charlotte) from the Bobcats. Charlotte received the draft rights of forward Bismack Biyombo (selected 7th by Sacramento) and swingman Corey Maggette from Milwaukee.

“With Jimmer, we got one of the most exciting players in college basketball last year,” Petrie said. “He’s someone with outstanding offensive skills and creativity in the backcourt. Honeycutt is a terrific athlete, led the Pac-10 in blocked shots, and can defend a couple of positions. Isaiah Thomas is just a consummate competitor. He’s on the small side but he’s had a great career at Washington.”

Fredette, a 6-2, 195-pound senior guard from BYU, averaged a nation-leading 28.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in 2010-11. He shot 45.2 percent from the field, 88.2 percent from the free throw line, and connected on 45.5 percent of his three-point attempts. Fredette set school records for points (2,599), three-pointers (296), free throws (627), games played (139), 30-point games (24), 40-point performances (6), and wins played in (112). He established Mountain West Conference single-game records in points (52), field goals (22), and three-point field goals (9, tied). He posted the 11th-highest season point total in NCAA history as a senior. He was named First Team All-American and the National Player of the Year by the majority of organizations and media outlets. For three consecutive years he was selected All-MWC First Team and USBWA All-District VIII.

Fredette was the first senior selected in this year’s Draft and the fourth guard to be drafted. He becomes the first player from BYU to be drafted by the Kings in the Sacramento era. Fredette joins Rafael Araujo (Toronto, 8th overall, 2004), Shawn Bradley (Philadelphia, 2nd overall, 1993), and Mel Hutchins (Tri-Cities Blackhawks, 2nd overall, 1951) as the only players from BYU to be drafted in the top 10 in NBA history.

Honeycutt, an early entry candidate, averaged 12.8 ppg (.406 FG%, .362 3pt%, .736 FT%), 7.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, and 2.1 bpg in 33 games as a sophomore for the Bruins. The 6-8, 188-pound forward was named to the 2010-11 First Team All-Pac-10 and led the conference in blocks per game, ranking 49th nationally. He averaged 10.3 ppg (.431 FG%, .359 3pt%, .684 FT%), 6.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.2 spg, and 1.7 spg in 59 games in two seasons at UCLA. Honeycutt was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team after averaging 7.2 ppg (.496 FG%, .345 3pt%, .600 FT%), 6.5 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.2 bpg in 26 contests, 18 of which he started, in 2009-10.

Honeycutt becomes the second player from UCLA drafted by the Kings since they moved to Sacramento joining guard Tyus Edney (second round, 1995). The Kings have selected an early entry candidate in seven of the last eight drafts.

Thomas, also an early entry candidate, averaged 16.4 ppg (.426 FG%, .325 3pt%, .713 FT%), 3.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.2 spg, and 30.4 mpg in 105 career games at Washington. The 5-9, 185-pound guard, was named to the First Team All-Pac 10 as a junior after averaging 16.8 ppg (.445 FG%, .349 3pt%, .719 FT%), 3.5 rpg, 6.1 apg, 1.3 spg, and 31.9 mpg in 35 games in 2010-11. Thomas finished his collegiate career ranked sixth in points (1,721), third in assists (415), and eighth in steals (122) in school history. The Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 2008-09, Thomas averaged 15 or more points per game in each of his three seasons with Washington.

This is the first time in the Sacramento era the Kings have selected two players in the same draft from the Pac-10 (Honeycutt and Thomas).

About Maloof Sports & Entertainment:
Maloof Sports & Entertainment includes the Sacramento Kings and Power Balance Pavilion. Owned by the Maloof family with long-term, local partners, the organization is committed to being a contributing member of the Sacramento community. Teaming up with local leaders and non-profit organizations to give back to those in need throughout the region, MS&E has donated millions of dollars to charity in 11 years of Maloof family ownership. For more information about Maloof Sports & Entertainment, please visit kings.com, PowerBalancePavilion.com or call 916-928-0000.

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