The team announced Thursday that Darren Collison will undergo surgery early next week to repair a core muscle injury and be reevaluated in three to six weeks following the procedure.
[RELATED: Darren Collison Injury Update]
In the meantime, sophomore guard Ray McCallum is ready to face his new starting job head on. “When I get the opportunity, I go out there and make the most if it,” he said during Thursday’s practice.
Since taking over for Collison, No. 3 has averaged 9.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, four assists and 23.6 minutes per game in three contests.
The role is not new for McCallum.
Ray was able to seize a similar opportunity in 2014 when former Kings guard Isaiah Thomas went down with a quad injury late in the season.
Starting 10 of the last 12 games, the then-rookie averaged 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 44.6 minutes per game, hitting several career milestones along the way – including his first double-double (22 points and 10 assists) to propel the Kings past the Pelicans for a victory.
Though he performed extremely well during the 2014 NBA Summer League, guiding the Kings to a Championship win as well as earning Championship Game MVP, the signings of Collison and Ramon Sessions caused RayMac to see limited time off of the bench.
“I haven’t really played all that much with everyone this year,” he said Thursday, “now I’m getting the opportunity for an increase in minutes with them.”
Under the direction of new head coach George Karl and mentorship of veteran guard Andre Miller No. 3 has a shot at another stellar end-of-season performance and there’s no doubt he’s up for it. “I like going against the best players and seeing where I stack up,” he said, noting that each night he gets the start against the best is a challenge he looks forward to.
Following Thursday’s practice Coach Karl mentioned that while unfortunate, injuries are a part of good teams – they allow players who have been waiting to get onto the court an opportunity show what they’re made of.
“I think he’s kind of a conservative point guard,” said Karl. “I’d like to see him be more confident, more willing; and take responsibility for his possessions and get good shots for the team.”
In an effort to do just that, the young guard continues to look to Collison and Miller for advice and critiques.
[RELATED: The Professor – Mentor for Kings]
“Every game [Darren] is out there helping me and staying in my ear about things he sees,” he added. “Having guys like Darren and Andre just make my job even easier.”
With 27 games remaining this season Coach Karl will look to McCallum to be a strong playmaker for the Kings. “Ray is going to have a window to impress, grow and progress.”