The Sacramento Kings might not be filling out brackets, but they have plenty of reasons to tune into March Madness this year. With the NBA Draft on the horizon, the Kings' front office, including GM Scott Perry and head coach Doug Christie, will have their eyes glued to the tournament action starting Thursday.
One player to watch is AJ Dybantsa from BYU, a projected top pick in the upcoming draft. Dybantsa, a true freshman, has taken the college basketball world by storm as the nation's leading scorer.
He and the Cougars are set to face either Texas or North Carolina State, depending on the outcome of the "first four" games. This matchup is scheduled for Thursday at 4:25 p.m.
PT in Portland's Moda Center, part of the West Regional.
Another intriguing prospect is Flemings, who, although not matching Dybantsa’s scoring stats, plays a pivotal role for a higher-seeded team under the legendary coach Kelvin Sampson. Flemings recently impressed with a 21-point performance and will lead Houston against Idaho on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. PT in Oklahoma City's Paycom Center.
Darryn Peterson, another name on the Kings' radar, is known for his dynamic play despite some issues with injuries. His Kansas Jayhawks face a tough path in a loaded regional, starting with Cal Baptist on Friday at 6:45 p.m. PT in San Diego's Viejas Arena.
Meanwhile, Duke, with top-seeded status in the East, showcases Cameron Boozer, a potential top pick if he decides to declare for the draft. Boozer, following in his family's NBA footsteps, will take on Siena in an early Thursday matchup at 11:50 a.m. PT.
As the tournament unfolds, Sacramento will be closely watching these key matchups and players, potentially shaping their future roster with the talent on display.