Category: General NBA insight

General NBA insight

Sacramento Kings will retire jersey of Peja Stojakovic

The Sacramento Kings announced today that the #16 jersey of three-time NBA All-Star and NBA Champion Peja Stojakovic will be retired on December 16, when the Kings host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Sleep Train Arena. During his eight seasons in Sacramento, the fan-favorite small forward played more games for the Kings than any player during the Sacramento era and had an immeasurable impact on the community both on and off the court.

“Peja Stojakovic was instrumental in putting Sacramento on the map on a global scale,” said Kings Owner Vivek Ranadivé. “As one of only a select group of Serbian players in the NBA, Peja helped carve out a place for basketball players from all over the world. Recognizing his leadership will be a special moment for fans and the entire Kings organization, as well as a great reminder of the kind of success we are building in Sacramento.”

The Kings drafted Serbia-born Stojakovic in the first-round (14th overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft. In addition to leading the Kings in games played during the Sacramento-era, Stojakovic ranks first in Kings franchise history (1948-current) in three-pointers made (1,070) and attempted (2,687), and in free throw percentage (.893). He’s also ranked second on the Kings all-time scoring list with 9,498 points scored, third in field goals made (3,352) and attempted (7,269), and fifth in steals (543).

“My time in Sacramento was the best years of my career and truly some of the best years of my life,” said Stojakovic. “I am proud of what we built in Sacramento and the connection we made with the fans and the community. Kings fans are some of the best fans in the world, and it was an honor to play for them. I want to thank Vivek and the entire Kings family for welcoming me back for this celebration, and I look forward to following the exciting times ahead for the Sacramento Kings.”

Stojakovic’s professional career began at the age of 14 with the Serbian club Red Star Belgrade. After being drafted by the Kings, he went on to play 13 seasons in the NBA highlighted by a NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. Also during his NBA career, Stojakovic won the NBA All-Star Weekend Three-Point Shootout twice and was the first European-born player to win an All-Star Weekend competition. He ranks in the top 10 in NBA history in several categories, including 4th in career free throw percentage (.895), 9th in three-pointers made (1,760), and 7th in playoff free throw percentage (.900). Additionally, Stojakovic is the first player in NBA history to start a game off by scoring his team’s first 20 points.

“Peja was part of the awesome Kings dynasty that we’re working hard to bring back to Sacramento,” said Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro. “His high basketball IQ and unique ability to connect with the fans had a huge impact on the team and the community, and we hope Peja’s passion and determination carry over into this new era of Kings basketball.”

Utah Jazz sign guard Kevin Murphy

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has signed free-agent guard Kevin Murphy.

Murphy (6-6, 185, Tennessee Tech) finished the 2013-14 season with the Idaho Stampede, where he ranked second in the league in scoring and was named to the 2014 All-D-League First Team. He appeared in 34 games (24 starts) for the Stampede, averaging 25.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 35.9 minutes and scoring in double figures in 30 games, including 20-plus points in 27 contests and 30-or-more points 13 times. Murphy recorded a career-high 51 points on Feb. 1 vs. L.A. D-Fenders, finishing 21-for-33 from the field (.636). Prior to joining Idaho, Murphy played 13 games (seven starts) for Stasbourg IG of France and averaged 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 18.8 minutes per game.

Originally selected by the Jazz in the second round (47th overall) of the 2012 NBA Draft, Murphy appeared in 17 games as a reserve for Utah during the 2012-13 season, averaging 0.9 points in 3.1 minutes. Following the season, he was traded to Golden State as part of a three-team trade on July 10, 2013.

The 24-year-old guard played four seasons at Tennessee Tech University (2008-12), amassing 2,019 points, 535 rebounds and 248 assists during his collegiate career and ranks second on the school’s all-time scoring list. He was twice named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) First Team (2011, 2012) as well as the OVC All-Tournament Team (2011, 2012). During his senior season, he averaged 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 34.5 minutes, including a 50-point performance in a win over Southern Illinois University Edwardsville that marked the highest scoring game by a Division I player during the 2011-12 season.

A native of Atlanta, Ga., Murphy played high school basketball at Creekside High School in Fairburn, Ga., earning the Naismith Award following his senior season.

Bucks sign second-round pick Damien Inglis

The Milwaukee Bucks have signed the 31st selection of the 2014 NBA Draft, Damien Inglis, to a multi-year contract, General Manager John Hammond announced today.

A native of Cayenne in French Guiana, Inglis played last season with Roanne as a rookie in France’s top league, Pro A, where he averaged 4.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 27 games. Inglis grabbed a career-best 11 rebounds vs. Strasbourg and scored in double figures in three straight games in December. He began his career at INSEP in France and averaged 10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists over three seasons from 2010-13.

Inglis competed in the 2014 Nike Hoop Summit and has played for France in the U18, U17 and U16 European Championships.

NBA referee Dick Bavetta is retiring

NBA President, Basketball Operations Rod Thorn announced today that longtime NBA referee Dick Bavetta will be retiring after 39 years of service.

Bavetta, who began his NBA career on Dec. 2, 1975, at Madison Square Garden in a game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics finished with a record 2,635 consecutive regular season games officiated, having never missed an assigned game throughout his entire career. Bavetta also officiated 270 Playoff games including 27 Finals games.

“Dick’s dedication and commitment to his craft has been an inspiration to all NBA officials,” said Thorn. “We are grateful for his contributions to our league, and we wish him the best as he enjoys his well-earned retirement.”

Bavetta worked three NBA All-Star Games (1989, 1995 and 2006) and was the first NBA referee selected to officiate the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. Bavetta also refereed the 1997 McDonald’s Championship in Paris, 1993 Mexico Challenge and 1990 Japan Games in Tokyo.

“On behalf of myself and the entire Bavetta family, I would like to thank the NBA family and the National Basketball Referee Association for allowing me the honor and the privilege of representing them for 39 wonderful years,” said Bavetta.

“I am most proud of never having missed an assigned game, be it exhibition, regular season or playoffs, throughout my entire career. It really has been a great run.”

Prior to joining the NBA, Bavetta was an official with the Eastern League (CBA) for nine years, as well as the Rucker League, FIBA, Jersey Shore Basketball League, and both the Public and Catholic High School leagues in New York City.

Bavetta, a Brooklyn, New York native, attended Power Memorial Academy and also attended St. Francis College in Brooklyn. He is a member of the New York City Catholic High School Hall of Fame, the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame and received the National ProAm Lifetime Achievement Award.

Throughout his career, Bavetta has been actively involved in many charitable endeavors. In 1986 he established “The Bavetta Scholarships.” The program, which he personally finances, provides parochial high school scholarships for minority children. He also has volunteered with the Double H-Hole in the Woods Ranch working with critically ill children since 1992. Additionally he is actively involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.