Golden 1 Center (G1C) opened its doors to hundreds of Kings fans Tuesday evening for the 2026 NBA Draft.
Fans in Kings gear arrived through the main entrance of the G1C, excited to see the next player to be selected to play for Sacramento. With complimentary popcorn and hot dogs, Kings dancers and loud fans, the atmosphere was like attending a regular-season home game.
Before the draft started, Kings coach Doug Christie joined the festivities and gave an encouraging speech to fans.
“I know one thing from being a Sacramento King and now being the coach of the Kings — you guys show so much love,” Christie said. “I expect nothing less as we invite a new family member into the fold.”
Longtime Kings fan, Marsha Danzy, attended the draft party and was hopeful the Kings would make the right selection.
Longtime Kings fan Marsha Danzy attended the draft party Tuesday June 23, 2026.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio
“I moved here in '85, and that's when the team came, and so I've been following them ever since,” Danzy said. “So I'm excited for the new year, new opportunities, a new person to join the team, and I believe that we're gonna be successful.”
Danzy was hoping the Kings would select point guard Darius Acuff Jr. from the University of Arkansas.
Kings fan Maurice Hunter, on the other hand, was hopeful the Kings would go in a different direction and draft a different point guard.
“Who I think the Kings are gonna get — I think they're gonna get Acuff, who I want the Kings to get — Mikel Brown Jr.,” Hunter said. “I think he brings the same offense that Acuff brings, but he has the defense to add with it.”
Sacramento Kings coach Doug Christie speaks in front of Kings fans at the NBA Draft Party at the Golden 1 Center Tuesday June 24, 2026.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio
Who did the Kings draft?
The Kings ended the last season with a 22-60 record, which gave the team the fifth-best odds of landing the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft lottery. Unfortunately, the team slid down two spots, netting them the 7th overall pick in the draft.
With the selection, the Kings chose a 6’2 point guard from the University of Arkansas, Darius Acuff Jr. Kings fans erupted in cheers for the selection of the new draftee.
Darius Acuff Jr., right, poses for a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, after being selected by the Sacramento Kings with the seventh pick in the first round of the NBA basketball draft, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki)
Acuff was the Southeastern Conference (SEC) player of the year, averaging 23 points, 3 rebounds and 6 assists a game in his one season in Arkansas. He ranked third nationally in scoring and led the SEC in scoring, assists per game and minutes per game.
He already has ties to Sacramento because his father, Darius Acuff Sr., played college basketball at Eastern Kentucky, and his coach at the time was the current Kings General Manager Scott Perry.
That wasn’t the only selection of the night. The Kings traded back into the first round with the Cleveland Cavaliers and selected forward Alex Karaban out of the University of Connecticut.
2026 NBA Draft sign at Golden 1 Center.Keyshawn Davis/CapRadio
Karaban helped lead his team to back-to-back NCAA national championships in 2023 and 2024, while finishing as a runner-up this year. He’s known as a sharpshooter who averaged 13 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists a game.
Acuff Jr. and Karaban are expected to play in the NBA League Summer League California Classic from July 3-6.
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.
Donate Today
