2017 Training Camp

Kyle Ramos

Six days of continual learning, nonstop physical activity, and scrimmaging will soon be put into play.

Sacramento wrapped up its jam-packed training camp on Sunday at Golden 1 Center, with the squad putting in work on the main court as opposed to the Practice Facility where the previous practice sessions have been held.

“It’s good to get out in front of the bright lights and the bigger stage and get out of the practice facility and do different things sometimes,” said Coach Joerger.

Simulating a real-game atmosphere on your home court, albeit sans the raucous hometown crowd, is a crucial step for a team filled with new faces as they develop rapport with one another heading into their preseason debut on Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs.

It’s a time of excitement for Sactown fans, who are eagerly awaiting the first glimpse at the restructured roster in action following an exciting offseason.

Kings faithful aren’t the only ones looking forward to Monday, either – newcomer George Hill and the remainder of the roster is anticipating the challenge of preseason as well.

“It’s been five, six days of training camp going against the same guys over and over so it’s going to be good to go out there with a new face guarding us,” said Hill, who will be matching up against the team where his career began.

The veteran guard continued, summing up training camp for the team as a whole.

“We’ve just got a great group of guys. I think all the guys that we have in this camp are fun to be around, energetic. Everyone is learning, everyone is pushing each other.”

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Training Camp Recap Day 6: Ready to Roll

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Training Camp Day 6 - George Hill

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Training Camp Day 6 - Coach Joerger

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Hard Work: Kings Training Camp

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Training Camp Day 2: Justin Jackson

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Training Camp Day 1: Garrett Temple

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Training Camp Day 1: Coach Joerger

Months of offseason preparation and roster reshuffling were put to rest, as today, the new-look Kings took the court for the first time.

Less than a week from their first exhibition contest, it’s safe to say the offseason is over for Sacramento with the team coming together for the first time at the Kings Practice Facility on Tuesday.

Head coach Dave Joerger spoke with media following the morning session, sharing that the Kings initial time on the hardwood was fully non-contact. While the squad will have to wait for full-contact practice until the evening, Coach Joerger addressed that the mental aspect of the game will be a crucial part of preparing for the season – something the team began working on today.

“It’s not so much about the Xs and Os so much as it as about how we go about our business,” said Joerger. “What we do want to be about now? What do we want to be about four months from now? What do we want to be about three years from now? That needs to be the same so that there’s consistency.”

Sacramento’s roster is brimming with young talent which has made the presence of veterans all the more crucial. Among the returning vets is Garrett Temple, who spoke highly of the young players on the Kings.

“They’re being professional…they understand that they don’t know, they’re not coming in with an entitlement,” said No. 17. “They have a couple of vets that know what it takes to be a professional in this league and they’re taking advantage of that.”

Temple also touched on how the unity of a team can translate into an enjoyable experience.

“We have a group of guys that are good guys - nobody has any hidden agenda,” Temple said. “When you have teams like that, especially when you have guys that are young and are yearning to learn, it makes basketball fun.”

The most senior member on Sactown’s squad (and the most experienced active player in the NBA) is Vince Carter, who was signed this offseason after a multi-year stint with the Memphis Grizzlies.

VC, now entering his 20th NBA season, enters Sacramento as an influential leader for a young team that has injected a feeling of youth in him as well.

“It makes me feel young. I try to stay young but at the same time this helps me be who I am - a mentor,” said Carter. “It’s great to be out here and to see the energy in the gym. These guys are young and it keeps me motivated, keeps me going, and pushes me as well.”

The squad will continue their grind in training camp this week heading into the pre-season opener against the San Antonio Spurs at home on Monday, October 2.