Hannah Avdalovic

Every team in the NBA league will be sporting Nike jerseys come next season, but according to media outlets, Sactown upheld the title as the league’s most tech-savvy team with their unique launch.

Using the Sacramento Kings + Golden 1 Center app, seven-year Kings guard Garrett Temple was seen rocking the new threads within an augmented reality component.

This offered fans the experience of posing next to the Kings legend while also being able to create a virtual, personalized uniforms for themselves.

Here’s what everyone is saying about the launch:

A List Daily shared insight regarding the squad's creative content. “Montoya said that for over a decade, the Kings have been pushing the boundaries on digital innovation, welcoming fans behind the curtain for enhanced and immersive experiences through this app, as well as inside the arena. The team has been at the forefront for many of activations that an average sports fan would not anticipate a franchise to make.”

Venture Beat commented on how technologically advanced the organization has been over the years. “The Sacramento Kings have embraced digital tech for a while. They say they were the first team to join Twitter, invest in a virtual reality company, host a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” with players, use Facebook Live to interview players, stream a game in VR internationally, and host a startup competition”

Forbes discussed the launch and its innovative nature. “The Sacramento Kings unveiled brand new uniforms for the 2016-17 season, featuring the team’s recently released logos. With a focus on using technology to enhance the fan experience, the Kings debuted the uniforms in an interactive and innovative way.”

Sport Techie weighed in on the immediacy that the launch offered fans. “While sports teams historically have unveiled uniforms with fashion shows and press conference, this method offers immediate distribution.”

Fans were equally as hyped, sharing the fun on twitter. Here are a few of the stand-out tweets from some of Sacramento’s proudest interacting with the app:

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What They’re Saying: Kings x Nike Uniforms

The long-standing rivalry between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers was reinstated as Golden 1 Center filled with fans to watch the teams compete during the 2017 Summer League, with an estimated attendance over 10,000.

The teams have been rivals since the early 2000s, but with the addition of 2017 Draft picks of Lonzo Ball and De’Aaron Fox, the rivalry feels renewed. While Ball did not play during the game, Kings fan were still hyped to watch Sacramento take on the Lakers.

Former Kings high-flyer Henry Turner was in awe of the turnout, “you cannot even put words to it to see that this place is sold out to watch these young rookies,” he said. “You best believe the rookies know it too and they are very happy to see it packed as well.”

Scott Moak, V.P. of Community Impact and Executive Director of the Kings Foundation spoke about what these moments represent in terms of the future for Kings basketball, “there is so much excitement and the vibe in here is phenomenal. I am excited to get the season started.”

At 7 p.m. the Golden 1 Center doors opened and Kings fans began to flood in.

“The spirit of Sacramento fans and how proud we are is what sets us apart,” said lifelong fan Anna - who brought out her Bobby Jackson jersey to support the Kings.

Another excited fan, Allen, said he was excited to watch the rookies surrounded by Sacramento’s proudest. “Just being out here with the fans and being together to watch the game is so exciting.”

Jack, who has been Sacramento proud since ’92 says, “Seeing all the fans out here who have stuck with the Kings through thick and thin is amazing.”

If Monday night in Sacramento was any indication, Kings fans are ready to show out in a big way come October.

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Fans Show Out for Summer League Watch Party

The Kings have officially signed the former Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs guard George Hill. The 31-year-old is coming off a stellar year, continuing what has been an outstanding career – dating back to his early high school days.

Hill attended Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis, Indiana where he shined as one of the top players in the state. During his senior year, he averaged 36.2 points per game—a state-leading statistic. In 2004 he was named the “City Player of the Year” by the Indianapolis Star and played on the Indiana All-Star Team.

Following his high school success, Hill chose to attend Indiana University—Purdue University Indianapolis to stay with his ill great-grandfather, despite receiving offers from big conference schools such as Temple University and Indiana University. During his sophomore season at IUPUI, he led the team to a tie for best record in the conference - only to top that his senior year with a school-record of 26 wins. He left IUPUI as the fifth all-time scorer (1,619 points), declaring for the 2008 NBA Draft, where he was selected as the No. 26 pick by the San Antonio Spurs.

In 2011, after three seasons with San Antonio, Hill was traded to the Indiana Pacers, where he would average the most points of his career to that point (14.2 PPG). After suffering an ankle injury, Hill returned to make a game-winning shot against the Toronto Raptors, only to follow it with his best game in his NBA to-date scoring a season-high 27 points against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Hill was traded to the Utah Jazz before the 2016-17 season, going on to earn “Western Conference Player of the Week” on Oct. 31-Nov. 6 and setting a new career high with 34 points in a win over the Brooklyn Nets.

He joins the Kings boasting career averages of  118 points per game, 3.3 assists per game, 3.2 rebounds per game and 38 percent from three in 29 minutes per game.

The athletic point guard with 6-foot-9 wingspan will surely bring a lot to the Kings roster. His former Spurs head coach, Gregg Popovich speaks highly of Hill claiming he “does a little bit of everything, the great thing about him is that he’s a very good all-around basketball player.” Adding, “He’s a tenacious defender, he can score, he can run, he’s a good passer, he knows how to play and he’s really a team guy.”

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Get to Know: George Hill

The 2017 NBA Draft is officially in the books, but we still aren’t done celebrating our newest draftees. It is time to get to know the newest players, De’Aaron Fox, Justin Jackson, Harry Giles and Frank Mason. Here is why you need to give our rookies a follow on your favorite social channels!

First off, they are already showing Sacramento love. The rookies shared their excitement to be part of #SacramentoProud almost immediately following their selections.

De’Aaron has been especially active retweeting fans and is already scoring dates for the Sacramento faithful.

By following the rooks on social media, you also get an inside-look on their personal life. You won’t want to miss what these players are up to off-the-court. No. 15 draft pick Justin Jackson is often posting about his new fiancée and it will surely make your heart melt.

To follow the newest Kings, check out their handles below:

De’Aaron Fox:
Instagram: @swipathefox
Twitter: @swipathefox
Facebook: www.facebook.com/deaaron.swipafox
Snapchat: @swipathefox

Justin Jackson:
Instagram: @jjacks44
Twitter: @JJacks_44

Harry Giles:
Instagram: @bigticket_hg
Twitter: @HGizzle1

Frank Mason:
Instagram: @fmason0
Twitter: @FrankMason0
Snapchat: @kucmb0

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Kings Rookies = Must Follows on Social

While watching from the Draft Block Party at Cafeteria 15L in downtown Sacramento, fans were noticeably enthusiastic following the team’s first three picks of the NBA Draft.

Prior to the selections, the party was covered in purple and packed with Kings fans anxiously awaiting to see who the Kings drafted for the Kings Draft Party.

Sacramento was definitely proud as No. 5 pick De’Aaron Fox was announced.

“De’Aaron seems like he is going in fit in really well in Sacramento,” said long-time Kings fan Taylor. “He is exactly what the Kings need and fits everything we were looking for.”

Rocking a purple Kings uni, Marc was also thrilled with the first selection. “De’Aaron and Buddy Hield in the backcourt are going to be awesome,” He says. “They both play fast-paced games and he is just a game-changer.”

The fans in attendance were taken by surprise when the Kings acquired the Nos. 15 and 20 picks, but followed with even more excitement.

“I think the move from the No. 10 pick was a solid move, especially in a deep draft like this,” said Block Party attendee Nicholas.  “If you’re not sold on a player at ten, might as well trade and get two more picks,” followed fellow fan, Patrick.

The excitement only continued to grow with the announcements of No. 15 pick, Justin Jackson and No. 20 pick, Harry Giles. “I am beyond ecstatic with these picks.” Said Paul, “We arguably had the best draft of any NBA team.”

The hype will continue as the season approaches. Get your first look at the Kings rookies as they visit Concert in the Park on Friday night at Cesar Chavez Park.

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Kings Fans Hyped after Thrilling Draft Night

This is a historic moment in the NBA Draft for the Sacramento Kings, who hold two top-10 picks for the first time in franchise history. Potential prospects such as Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox, Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Zach Collins and Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson weighed in on their experiences with the Sacramento staff and the Golden 1 Center facilities during the pre-Draft process.

“When Buddy went there he started playing extremely well, Skal started playing well at the end of the year. You know, they are on the up-in-up, got a lot of young players and I feel like I would be able to run a team well.”

“Sacramento is really good, I think it was one of my best workouts because I shot the ball really well.”

“I love the Sacramento staff, I mean it seems like they have a really good thing going and they are definitely on the right path to rebuilding hopefully another playoff team there.”

“I think I fit in pretty well you know, they got a pretty young team and I can see things starting to come together for them right now. I feel like me coming in with them would definitely help them out a lot. Just from my character, you know my personality, my mentality, I find that a lot of teams that I play for… my competitive mentality starts to rub off on my teammates.”

“I know they [Sacramento] got my guy Skal over there and he seems to like it a lot. He’s a really high-character guy and I can take his word for something so if he enjoys the situation over there, I believe it is a good one.”

“It was good to meet some of the people in the organization and see the facilities, I mean the facilities are great out there.  And so, if I were to be drafted by Sacramento, that would be a great place to be at.”