Reno Bighorns

Kyle Ramos

Following a strong showing in the regular season, the Reno Bighorns are ready to finish what they started in the 2018 G-League Playoffs.

A 29-21 record earned Reno the second seed in the Western Conference as well as a first-round bye in the new four-round, 12-team tournament format of the postseason.

Awaiting the Kings G-League affiliate in the first matchup is the South Bay Lakers, who the Bighorns topped in three out of four regular season meetings during the 2017-18 campaign.

Reno will take its home floor on Tuesday, April 3 at 6 p.m. PT and the contest will be televised on ESPNU.

Should the Bighorns advance, they will take on the winner of the Austin Spurs-Rio Grande Valley Vipers game in the Western Conference Finals on either Thursday, April 5 or Friday, April 6.

For full G-League playoff schedule information, click here.

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Reno Bighorns Quest for Championship Begins

Shahbaz Khan

In his first contest with Sacramento’s G League affiliate, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft immediately made an impact for the Reno Bighorns.

Justin Jackson totaled 26 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in his Reno debut to lead all scorers en route to a double-digit Bighorns victory. Jackson proved extremely effective in the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop game, where he gelled with fellow assignee Georgios Papagiannis while displaying his smooth perimeter shot, ability to get to the rim, and his patented floater.

The North Carolina product suited up in his second G League game on Monday evening, where he tallied another 20-plus point night with 24 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. While he finished 8-of-17 from the floor during this contest, Jackson’s aggressive offense allowed him to get to the charity stripe for a perfect 6-of-6 night.

Meanwhile, in six games with Reno thus far in 2017-18, Papagiannis is averaging 14.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per game in addition to nearly two blocks an outing. Malachi Richardson is averaging eight-plus points and six rebounds per game in his two games to date.

Reno’s next matchup will take place on Wednesday at 4PM PT as the Bighorns take on Orlando’s affiliate in the Lakeland Magic.

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Jackson Impresses in Reno Debut

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento Kings today announced the team has assigned forward Skal Labissiere to the team’s G-League affiliate Reno Bighorns and have recalled center Georgios Papagiannis.

In his second NBA season out of Kentucky, Labissiere has appeared in 23 games (10 starts) and has accrued 7.7 points (.443 FG%, .444 3pt%, .800 FT%), 4.0 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 17.1 minutes per contest.

As a Bighorn, Papagiannis has appeared in six contests (all starts) this season, and is averaging 14.2 points (.537 FG%, .929 FT%), 10.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 29.0 minutes per game. Papagiannis currently ranks third in the G-League in rebounding.

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Kings Assign Labissiere to Reno Bighorns, Recall Papagiannis

Breaking into a field of work that you love is not often an easy task, but for Katie Luhring and Ernest DeLosAngeles, the duo turned a prime opportunity into a successful start to their young careers.

Both Katie and Ernest started as interns for the Kings in the Sports Medicine department under the tutelage of Director of Sports Medicine Pete Youngman and Head Athletic Trainer Dr. Manny Romero. Since then, the two have earned new positions with the team’s G-League Affiliate in Reno as a part of their training staff.

We caught up with Katie and Ernest to find out more about their journey.

What is your day-to-day like in your position with the Reno Bighorns?

Katie: “In a nutshell, [my role] is covering practice and being the medical coordinator for the team. So if a guy gets hurt, I am the initial source of diagnosis and treatment and if needed, I take care of referrals out to our local doctor as well as scheduling any imaging or anything else that needs to get done for them. I also am in charge of equipment here, so it’s my job to make sure the guys are properly dressed and ready to go for practice and games.”

Ernest: “I lead the team through warmups every day before practice and we may have a warmup where we do a lift before or we may do a movement session. I also assist the coaches with whatever they need during practice, so sometimes that calls for me to assist with some rebounding or passing. Post practice, I’m in charge of the team’s nutrition so making sure that they have what they need - whether that be protein or any other supplement. I’m also in charge of ordering the pregame meals and the postgame meals whether we’re home or away. And then also assisting Katie with whatever she needs, like rehab, stretching some of the guys, or any equipment she needs - basically just being another source of help for her.

What was your experience like with the Kings?

Katie: “I was lucky enough that the Kings reinstituted their intern program in the year that I was taking off between undergraduate and graduate school. I had the great opportunity to work with Manny and Pete for an entire season and it was really just a good time for me to be able to work in professional basketball before I went and got my athletic training degree to solidify that this is what I wanted to do. Manny and Pete were amazing, they’re both so talented and I learned a lot. They did a lot of cool stuff that was really cutting edge for preventative rehab and tracking the athletes on a daily basis. It really set me up and it’s not just about being here [with the Bighorns], but it was about networking from this as well. So it set me up for becoming the athletic trainer that I am today. It was an incredible experience and I’m really grateful for it.”

Ernest: “I actually had finished my athletic training degree before I got my internship and I thought it was a perfect way for me to segue. Not only was the athletic training staff, but the strength and conditioning staff was really dedicated to their profession. They did a lot of continuing education, a lot of discussions - it wasn’t like we were just working while we were at the arena. It was work while we were away as well. Whether it was reading articles and sending each other emails or text messages about certain things that we thought of that we’d seen in research. I feel like that really has driven how I work with athletes now and how I serve these athletes. Like Katie said, the sports medicine and sports performance staff in Sacramento, they’re always looking for the next thing they can do to help the athletes and I think that’s shown in a lot of the results that they’ve gotten as far as low injuries with players. My time as an intern was really beneficial and it helped me grow exponentially compared to if I had just went out into the field working on my own or if I went to get my Master’s degree - which I went and did eventually because of Manny.”

What was your biggest takeaway from interning with the Kings?

Ernest: “The biggest thing I took from my internship was that in some internships, and I’ve done some other ones as well, you kind of do the grunt work. With the Kings it was never like that. I felt like even as an intern, I was treated as an equal. I took part in a lot of the conversations that they had regarding proactive approaches, research, and things that they were looking into as far as sports science equipment. That’s something that really stood out to me and I told myself that whenever I got an intern, I would do the same thing.”

Katie: “I would definitely second that. I was also treated as an equal and had every opportunity to help out on a daily basis and be part of everything. There’s also always that difficulty being a woman working in a male professional sport and I never had a problem [during the internship]. The team really warmed up to me really quickly and it was nice to be an important part of their day-to-day lives. The thing about athletic training and what’s really drawn me to this profession is the connections that you make with people. It was nice to be so welcomed so quickly by the entire organization.

To learn more about Kings career opportunities, visit Kings.com/careers

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Kings Q&A: Bighorns Training Staff

Nikki Nicholson

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento Kings today announced the team has assigned center Georgios Papagiannis, guard Malachi Richardson, and forward Justin Jackson to the team’s G-League affiliate Reno Bighorns.  

In his second NBA campaign out of Greece, Papagiannis has appeared in four contests this season, totaling 10 points, five rebounds, one assist and a blocked shot in 25 minutes. As a Bighorn, the 7-2 center is averaging 14.8 points (.480 FG%, .917 FT%), 11.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 31.0 minutes per contest in four games.

Richardson is averaging 4.1 points (.366 FG%, .412 3pt%, .727 FT%) and 1.0 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game for Sacramento in 11 games in his second season out of Syracuse.

As a rookie out of North Carolina, Jackson has appeared in 16 NBA contests with five starts, accruing averages of 6.7 points (.413 FG%, .333 3pt%, .600 FT%), 1.7 rebounds and 18.9 minutes per game.  

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Kings Assign Papagiannis, Richardson and Jackson to Reno Bighorns

Kings Rocket Department

Sacramento, Calif. – To tip-off the Reno Bighorns 2017-18 NBA G League Season, the Sacramento Kings will take over the upcoming Bighorns Home Opener presented by Atlantis Casino Resort Spa on November 10 at the Reno Events Center. The Kings entertainment team – including the Sacramento Kings Dancers, mascot Slamson, Emcee Scott Freshour and more – will join the Bighorns for the night, bringing special in-game entertainment, fan engagement, swag giveaways and more. First 1,000 fans through the doors will receive a special Kings t-shirt.

In addition to the game takeover, the Sacramento Kings and Reno Bighorns will also host a special Junior Kings Clinic at the Boys &amp; Girls Club of Truckee Meadows. This one-day clinic, designed for children ages 6 to 14, will focus on the fundamentals of basketball while educating children about the importance of working together, healthy habits and practice. Former Kings Player Olden Polynice will be there to assist with the Junior Kings Clinic, and will also be greeting Club 135 members and fans at the home opener. Children who participate in the clinic will receive a special Junior Kings prize pack, and the opportunity to participate in a pre-game high-five tunnel at the home opener.

“We’re excited for another season to build on the strong success of Bighorns Basketball showcasing the next generation of NBA players on the court,” said Kings President of Business Operations John Rinehart. “Last season, new fans joined us for the fun and games at the Reno Events Center, introduced the Bighorns to Sacramento with visits to Golden 1 Center and connected the two franchises with support from our business operations team and by introducing our proud purple into the color identity.”

The Reno Bighorns have been the affiliate team of the Sacramento Kings since 2008-09. Last year, the Kings acquired a controlling interest in the Bighorns, making them the 15th NBA team to own and operate its NBA G League affiliate.

Earlier this month, Commissioner Adam Silver joined our Nevada neighbors to help kickoff United Way and the NBA’s “Literacy is the Cure” campaign at the Boy &amp; Girls Club of Truckee Meadows. The Sacramento Kings and the Reno Bighorns together contributed $5,000 to help the efforts to boost the literacy rate in Nevada. This community appearance was just one of many the Reno Bighorns have planned for the year – with a goal of 250 appearances total.

To celebrate the home opener, the Bighorns will host rallies at local schools, visit Renown Children’s Hospital and hang a “Opening Weekend” banner – to celebrate the Bighorns new color scheme connected to Kings purple – over Virginia Street beginning on Monday, Nov. 6.

For more information about the Junior Kings Clinic in Reno or to register, click here.

Available tickets and more information on the Sacramento Kings and Reno Bighorns can be found at SacramentoKings.com, RenoBighorns.com, or by calling 888-91-KINGS.

About the Reno Bighorns:The Reno Bighorns are a member of the NBA G League, the official minor league of the NBA. The Bighorns are affiliated with the Sacramento Kings. Season tickets for the 2017-18 season are on sale now! For more information, call the Bighorns front office at 775-853-8220 or visit RenoBighorns.com. Follow us on Twitter @renobighorns and “like” the Bighorns on Facebook at facebook.com/bighornshoops.

The NBA G League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 26 teams — all with one-to-one affiliations with NBA franchises — in the 2016-17 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. An all-time high 135 players with NBA G League experience were on NBA rosters at the start of the 2016-17 regular season, representing 30 percent of the league. In fostering the league’s connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA G League Cares programs. Fans can watch all NBA G League games on nbagleague.com.

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Sacramento Kings to Bring NBA Excitement and Entertainment  at Reno Bighorns Home Opener

sacslovell

First meeting as teammates of the 2012 Oklahoma University Men’s Basketball team, the now Reno Bighorn and Sacramento Kings guards have been through it all.

Both leaving a mark early on in their Oklahoma University careers, they created a great friendship and support system.

“We’re just like best friends. Went through a lot at OU. We were roommates, been in the gym together, and done a lot of stuff together. He’s like a brother to me”, explains Cousins.

This past Sunday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs marked Hield’s sixth performance this season with 18-plus points in addition to tying his career record for assists with five. Since coming to Sacramento, Hield has continued displaying a strong presence on the court, averaging 13.7 points per game including 50% from the field and 85% from the free throw line.

In his own right, Cousins is shooting 44.2% from the field and 79.9% at the free throw line averaging 16.2 points with 5.4 rebounds and 4 assists per game with the Bighorns.

Despite no longer playing on the same team together, the two still keep up with each other and share support for one another whenever possible.

Cousins gladly expressed, “I’m happy for him that he’s in Sac. I think Sacramento is a good fit for him. He can just come here, play and just show how good of a player he is.”

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'He's like a brother to me.'

Benedict Tagle

Georgios Papagiannis
When the rookie big man plays with the Bighorns, he takes advantage at the chance of extended minutes. In the past seven games, he has scored in double-digits each time. His solid play in Reno is not a fluke, after scoring at least 10 in 13 of the past 15 games.

The current seven-contest double-digit scoring streak is seeing the big Greek average 17.9 points per game. Showcasing his arsenal in the post and other offensive talents, Papagiannis is shooting 56 percent from the field during the streak.

He is also an active rim protector while in Reno, averaging 2.3 blocks per game for the Bighorns. He has recorded at least one block in every single contest he’s played for the Bighorns.

Point Guard Play
On the roster, Bighorns General Manager Peja Stojakovic has assembled a strong group of point guards. Three of them have prior NBA experience: Kendall Marshall, Gary Neal and David Stockton.

Starting six of his nine games with Reno, Marshall has made his impact. The former North Carolina standout is averaging 11.9 points, four rebounds, and six assists. Doing the most of his damage within the arc, with 65.4 percent of his points coming from two-pointers, he still exhibits the speed and penetration he’s been known for his entire career.

Neal, a veteran of seven seasons in the NBA, has helped the team on both offense and defense. He is averaging 19.2 points for Sacramento’s D-League affiliate, while holding his own on the other side of the ball, averaging 1.1 steals per game. He gets to the charity stripe more than five times per contest and makes opposing defenses pay, connecting on 89.1 percent of his free throw attempts.

Stockton, a face many Kings fans are familiar with, recently rejoined the Bighorns after a stint abroad. Averaging 26 minutes off the bench already, it looks like he has quickly earned the trust of the coaching staff. In turn, he is rewarding them, averaging 10 points, five rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. These numbers may increase as he becomes more accustomed to the new offense and teammates.

Aggressive Offense
The Bighorns are one of the best teams in the D-League in drawing fouls. They are in the top 10 of all teams in getting the whistle to be blown for fouls. As a result, their free throw attempts have ranked among the very best. Placed in the top five for free-throw attempts, they are getting opportunities to score easy points. Reno has capitalized on these chances, ranking in the top eight of teams in free-throw percentage.

Activity in the Passing Lanes
The Bighorns are one of the top teams in the D-League in steals. Averaging 9.5 steals per game, they are showcasing an ability to force other teams into poor decisions. To put the number in perspective, averaging the same number of steals in the NBA would catapult them to the top of the League standings.

Isaiah Cousins
A second-round choice of the Kings in 2016 draft, Cousins has spent the whole season in Reno and shown glimpses of a bright future. The backcourt mate of current King Buddy Hield at Oklahoma, he is contributing to the Bighorns across the box score, averaging 15 points, five rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.8 steals.

On games with six-or-more days rest, which will be the case against the Raptors 905, the extended break may do wonders for his game. Averaging 20 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and two steals. His shooting from downtown rises to an impressive 54.5 percent and his free-throw percentage jumps to 93.3.