Photo credit: sacbee.com

By: Ana Kieu

After 35 years, Jerry Reynolds called it a career and subsequently retired from the Sacramento Kings. The 76-year-old executive and head coach came a long way from his humble beginnings in French Lick, Indiana, the same hometown as NBA legend Larry Bird.

Reynolds told KCRA: “It’s a dream I never would have thought it could have happened to someone from French Lick, Indiana.”

Aside from head coach, Reynolds also served as an interim head coach, assistant head coach, general manager, and director of player personnel.

“The 96 playoffs with Mitch Richmond and that bunch of Kings,” Reynolds told KCRA. “I was director of player personnel at that time. That crowd was the best and most enthusiastic ever, anywhere on Earth.”

Reynolds described his job as the Kings’ color commentator as the most fun job he has had in the past. He survived four ownership groups, five general managers, and 17 head coaches in his 35-year tenure. He added that it has been a blast and he wouldn’t change a thing.

In other news, Sacramento named Mark Jones as the team’s new television play-by-play announcer.

Jones will bring over 30 years of experience to Sacramento. He has been recognized for his nationally televised work on ABC and ESPN. He’ll work alongside the Kings’ color analyst Doug Christie on NBC Sports California.

Previously, Grant Napear served as the Kings’ play-by-play announcer from 1988 to 2020. Napear resigned from the Kings in June following his comments on the Black Lives Matter movement.

Former Kings player DeMarcus Cousins asked Napear: “What’s your take on BLM?” Napear responded: “Hey!!!! How are you? Thought you forgot about me. Haven’t heard from you in years. ALL LIVES MATTER…EVERY SINGLE ONE!!!”

The tweet exchange sparked backlash from players and fans alike. It was tweeted in the midst of nationwide protests of the death of George Floyd, a black man in Minneapolis who was killed by a police officer who kneeled on his neck. Floyd was a longtime friend of former NBA player Stephen Jackson.

Napear’s comments didn’t reflect the Kings’ views and values.