By Charlie O. Mallonee

Sacramento – The Kings directly addressed one of their major needs with the 22^nd selection of the NBA Draft by taking shooting guard/small forward Malachi Richardson of Syracuse University. Richardson is seen as having the size, length and athleticism needed to be a wing player in the NBA. The Kings need have more production from the wing so this would seem like a good match.

Richardson will have no trouble adjusting to the NBA stage after playing in the pressure packed ACC. He was selected to the ACC All-Freshman team. Richardson was also a part the Orange team that became the first number 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament to reach the Final Four since the expansion to 64 teams in 1985.

Richardson started all 37 games for Syracuse in 2015-16. He averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 34.4 minutes per game. He shot 36.9-percent from the field and 35.3-percent from 3-point range. Richardson is a 72-percent free throw shooter and averages 2.1 assists per game.

Scouts see Richardson as versatile scorer who can put the ball on the floor and who can also shoot for range. He can also work his way to the rim and finish through contact.

With the number 28 pick, the Kings went big again and back to Kentucky once more by selecting Skal Labissiere. Labissiere is a 6-11, 225 pound forward/center. He was projected as a number 15 or higher pick in many of the mock drafts.

Labissiere appeared in all 36 games for Kentucky and started in 18 of those contests. He averaged 15.8 minutes, 6.6 points, and 3.1 rebounds per game. Labissiere had a field goal percentage of 51.6 and a 66.1 free throw percentage.

Labissiere was the target of some criticism for underperforming last season. Still others criticized Coach Calipari for not using Labissiere correctly to get the most out of his skills.

Labissiere is quick and athletic. He runs the floor well. On defense, he is a stong shot blocker and help defender. As far as improving his game, Labissiere needs to cut down on the personal fouls, and he needs to get tougher especially under the basket.

Labissiere said that Coach Calipari told him his Kentucky teammates, “they are our brothers. They will look out for me.” It cannot hurt to have DeMarcus Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein watch your back when you are a 20-year old rookie in NBA.