Pete D'Alessandro

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“It’s my duty to come back and try to help this organization go to the next level,” said Vlade Divac to KCRA Sports Anchor Del Rodgers on Wednesday.

Divac, who was hired as the Vice President of Basketball and Franchise Operations three months ago, has been tabbed by Kings Chairman Vivek Ranadivé as the person who will “pull this all together.”

In his interview with KCRA, Vlade stressed the importance of the working climate he wants to help foster.

“I want to win, so do the fans, so does Vivek and the coach. Everybody feels the same way. We have to create the environment where the players are without pressure.”

Vlade continued on to emphasize another important aspect of team success, which he's experienced from 12 years of playing in the NBA.

"This is sports, they have to have fun. When they have fun, they play their best.”

To watch the complete KCRA interview, click here.

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Divac Working to Create Fun Atmosphere

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SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento Kings announced today that the team has signed Sim Bhullar to a 10-day contract, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro. Bhullar becomes the first player of Indian descent to be on an NBA team’s regular season roster.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Bhullar became the first player of Indian descent to sign with an NBA team when he inked a contract with the Kings on August 15, 2014. The 7-foot-5, 360-pound center was a member of the Kings squad that captured the 2014 Samsung NBA Summer League title in Las Vegas.

Bhullar played for the Kings D-League affiliate Reno Bighorns and averaged 10.3 points (.727 FG%, .600 FT%), 8.8 rebounds, 3.9 blocks and 25.8 minutes per game in 39 games, of which he started 17. He led the D-League in field goal percentage and blocks per game. Bhullar recorded 11 double-doubles this season and had a triple-double with 26 points (12-15 FG, 2-5 FT), 17 rebounds and 11 blocks on February 22 versus the L.A. Defenders.

On February 26, 2015, Bhullar became the first NBA D-League player to make a guest appearance on a late night talk show when he joined the “The Late Late Show” with guest host Kunal Nayyar of “The Big Bang Theory.”

In his two seasons at New Mexico State, the Aggies standout averaged 10.2 points (.633 FG%, .496 FT%), 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 2.9 blocks and 25.3 minutes per game in 65 career games. Bhullar was a two-time Western Athletic Conference Tournament MVP, helping the school reach the NCAA Tournament in 2013 and 2014. As a freshman, he was named WAC Freshman of the Year after accruing averages of 10.1 points (.621 FG%, .465 FT%), 6.7 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 24.4 minutes per game for the Aggies. He set a single-season school record for most blocked shots with 85 and his .621 field goal percentage ranked fourth on the NMSU single-season list and first in the WAC in 2012-13.

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Kings Sign Sim Bhullar to a 10-Day Contract

SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento Kings announced today that the team has signed David Wear to a 10-day contract, according to Kings General Manager Pete D'Allessandro.   

The 6-10, 235-pound forward is averaging 16.3 points (.478 FG%, .394 3pt%, .812 FT%), 7.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 30.0 minutes per game in 43 contests for the Reno Bighorns, Sacramento’s NBA D-League affiliate. Wear registered career highs of 33 points (12 of 18 FG) on Jan. 3 at Los Angeles Defenders and has hit seven three-pointers in a game twice (Nov. 16 vs. Grand Rapids and Jan. 3 at Los Angeles Defenders).

RELATED: Kings Sign David Stockton to a 10-Day Contract

The UCLA product will wear jersey number 31 and will be available for the Kings contest Tuesday night at Sleep Train Arena versus the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Kings Sign David Wear to a 10-Day Contract

SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento Kings announced today Vlade Divac has been named Vice President of Basketball and Franchise Operations.

In this capacity, Divac’s responsibilities will include advising the Kings front office and coaching staff, assisting the organization’s global branding efforts, augmenting fan outreach initiatives and oversight of player development programs. Additionally, he will facilitate talent evaluation and help foster relationships between the team and a growing pipeline of European athletes.

One of the most respected and revered individuals in franchise history, Divac returns to Sacramento having spent more than a decade serving the NBA and international sporting communities with the same distinction that solidified his reputation as a consummate teammate, player, humanitarian and overall difference-maker on and off the basketball court.

“With an unparalleled philanthropic track record that spans the globe, Vlade Divac is the epitome of our NBA 3.0 philosophy,” said Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé. “He has a unique perspective and global stature that will only further elevate our organization around the world.”

“It’s a great honor returning to the city that has provided a lifetime of unforgettable experiences,” said Divac. “Sacramento and the Kings organization were always in my thoughts and I often dreamed of having a role in helping our amazing fans realize the ultimate NBA prize. I’m thankful to Vivek for the opportunity and look forward to creating more special memories here.”

[WATCH NOW: Vlade Divac Interview with Grant Napear]

“Over the past year that I have gotten to know Vlade, he has proven himself as an ambassador to the Sacramento community," said Kings General Manager Pete D'alessandro. “The organization is fortunate to have him as an advisor. I look forward to his contributions, especially with respect to his knowledge of the international game.”

Divac, 47, has served in a variety of administrative and leadership roles since retiring from professional basketball in 2007. In addition to his philanthropic efforts focused on helping children in his native country and other reaches of the globe, he was named President of the Serbian Olympic Committee in 2009. Under his guidance, Serbian athletes have enjoyed greater success and the country is experiencing a resurgence on the international stage.

In 16 NBA campaigns with Los Angeles, Charlotte and Sacramento, Divac averaged 11.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game over 1,134 contests. He is only one of four players in league annals to accrue at least 13,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists, 1,200 steals and 1,600 blocked shots, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Garnett with that distinction. His six seasons in a Kings uniform marked the most successful period in team history, including a league-high 61 wins in 2001-02 and a trip to the Western Conference Finals. His name adorns the franchise record book in several key categories, ranking third all-time during the Sacramento-era in rebounds (3,538) and blocked shots (523), ninth in points scored (5,176), seventh with 454 games played, eighth in free throws made (1,209) and eighth in steals (453). Divac’s jersey was retired by the Kings in 2009.

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Kings Name Vlade Divac Vice President of Basketball and Franchise Operations

SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento Kings today hired Vance Walberg as an assistant coach, according to General Manager Pete D’Alessandro. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.   

A veteran of the coaching ranks with more than three decades of experience at the prep, collegiate and professional levels, Walberg joins George Karl’s staff after spending the last two seasons in a similar capacity with the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to his tenure with the 76ers, he was an assistant for Karl on Denver’s bench.

Walberg is known for his innovative offensive ideas and credited with developing the dribble drive motion offense—implemented by John Calipari at the University of Memphis and later Kentucky. His coaching resume includes three seasons at UMass as an assistant coach (2008-2011) after serving two seasons as the head coach at Pepperdine University (2006-2008). 

Prior to joining Karl in Denver for the 2011-12 campaign, Walberg led Fresno City College to a 133-11 (.924) record in his four seasons at the helm, including a perfect 34-0 mark culminating in a California state community college championship in 2005. His extensive head coaching background at the prep level includes stints at Clovis West, Newark Memorial, Los Altos and Mountain View High Schools. In 13 years at Clovis West (Fresno), Walberg guided his teams to a 343-68 record with nine league titles, 10 CIF Central Section Championship appearances, and three trips to the Southern State Championship Game.     

An alumnus of Cal State Bakersfield, the College of Belmont and Saint Mary’s College, Walberg and his wife, Rose have four children: Jason, Heather, Jaimie-Rose and Ian.

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Kings Name Vance Walberg Assistant Coach

SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento Kings announced today that the team has signed David Stockton to a 10-day contract, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.   

Stockton, a 5-11, 165-pound guard, is averaging 16.6 points (.460 FG%, .364 3pt%, .806 FT%), 3.6 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 2.4 steals and 27.5 minutes per game in 31 contests for the Reno Bighorns, Sacramento’s NBA D-League affiliate. Among D-League leaders, he ranks fourth in assists and second in steals per game. Undrafted, Stockton was selected by the Maine Red Claws in the third round of the 2014 NBA Development League Draft on November 1, 2014. He was later traded to the Reno Bighorns on draft night.

Like his father, Hall of Fame guard John Stockton, he played collegiately at Gonzaga (2010-11 – 2013-14).

Stockton will wear jersey number 9 and will be available for the Kings’ contest tonight at Sleep Train Arena versus the Boston Celtics.

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Kings Sign David Stockton to a 10-Day Contract

SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento Kings today acquired guard Andre Miller from the Washington Wizards in exchange for guard Ramon Sessions, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

“Adding Andre bolsters our backcourt with one of the most prolific ball distributors in the game,” said D’Alessandro. “He’ll also provide veteran leadership to the lockeroom and a wealth of experience at the point guard position. We’re excited to have him join the team. We also want to thank Ramon and wish him the best moving forward.” 

Miller, 38, is a 16-year NBA veteran averaging 12.9 points (.460 FG%, .217 3pt%, .808 FT%), 6.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.21 steals and 31.7 minutes per contest in 1,235 NBA games for Cleveland (1999-00 – 2001-2002), L.A. Clippers (2002-03), Denver (2003-04 – 2005-06, 2006-07, 2011-12 – 2013-14) Philadelphia (2006-07 – 2008-09), Portland (2009-10 – 2010-11) and Washington (2014-15). He has registered 63 career postseason appearances, tallying 13.5 points (.446 FG%, .386 3pt%, .766 FT%), 3.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.  

He ranks ninth in NBA annals with 8,296 assists, trailing only Steve Nash for 2nd among active players. In his finest statistical campaign in 2001-02, he paced the league with 10.9 assists per game. Additionally, he joins Kevin Garnett (1,419), Tim Duncan (1,302), Kobe Bryant (1,280) and Dirk Nowitzki (1,239) as the active league leaders in games played.   

Known for his durability, Miller played in all but six contests during 14 professional campaigns from 1999-00 through 2012-13—a span in which he registered 10 seasons without missing a single game. In parts of three seasons in Denver under current Kings Head Coach George Karl, Miller did not miss a single contest, playing in all 293 games the two spent together.