After the Kings dropped their third straight game-a 122-109 loss to the Raptors-rookie big man Dylan Cardwell stood in front of reporters and delivered something that’s becoming increasingly rare in pro sports: raw honesty. No spin.
No clichés. Just a 24-year-old reflecting on his improbable path to the NBA and the joy he still feels every time he laces up.
I'm starting to like Dylan Cardwell. Please give this a listen!
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) January 22, 2026
"In college I averaged 5 points per game, I rebounded the ball five times per game, I averaged like 1.6 blocks per game. No one thought I was an NBA player. I'm not supposed to be here. I'm living my childhood… pic.twitter.com/Tmj0T7KFzr
Cardwell’s stat line from the night won’t turn heads on the offensive end-just two points in 25 minutes-but look a little deeper and you’ll see why Sacramento continues to value his presence. He pulled down 13 rebounds, swatted four shots, handed out three assists, and added a steal. That’s the kind of defensive activity and hustle that doesn’t always make the highlight reel but earns respect in NBA locker rooms.
And for Cardwell, just being in that locker room is something he doesn’t take for granted.
“Like I said, it’s all glory to God,” Cardwell told reporters postgame. “Outside of the will of God, I would not be here in the NBA.”
He’s not exaggerating when he says his journey defied expectations. His college numbers-5 points, 5 boards, and just under 2 blocks per game-weren’t the kind that typically scream “NBA prospect.”
But Cardwell never let the box score define his belief. He saw the dream early, and he held onto it.
“I remember watching LeBron James and the Miami Heat in the 2011-12 Finals,” he recalled. “I told my mom, ‘I want to be there.
I want to be in the NBA.’ And I prayed about that every single day.”
Now, he’s living that dream-even if the season hasn’t gone the way Sacramento hoped. At 12-33, the Kings are in the thick of a tough year, but Cardwell’s perspective hasn’t wavered.
He’s not just playing for numbers or minutes. He’s playing with purpose.
“I don’t think I’ll ever take it for granted,” he said. “I put this jersey on every single day and I have a blast doing it because this is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid.”
That joy? It’s real.
And it’s helped him stay grounded in a league that can often feel like a revolving door of contracts and transactions. But according to Cardwell, Sacramento’s locker room has been anything but cold.
“Coming into this process, you hear a lot about how the NBA is just business,” he said. “We might not be having a great season, but this is the best locker room I've really been a part of outside of my last year at Auburn.”
Veterans like Russell Westbrook and Drew Eubanks have played a key role in that. Cardwell made it clear that their mentorship has gone beyond the court, setting a tone that values growth just as much as wins.
Through 18 games (including one start), Cardwell is averaging 4.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.1 assists while shooting 53.8% from the floor in just under 19 minutes a night. Those are solid numbers for a rookie still carving out his role-and they speak to a player who’s making the most of every opportunity.
The Kings will try to stop the bleeding as they head out on a six-game East Coast road trip, starting Friday night in Cleveland against the 25-20 Cavaliers. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Wins may be hard to come by right now, but if you’re looking for a bright spot in Sacramento, start with Cardwell. He’s not just playing basketball-he’s living a dream, and doing it with the kind of heart and humility that resonates far beyond the box score.