|《 #NBA 🎙🕶🎙》| The Sacramento Kings Play Defense In 2021 NBA Draft
Takes Davion Mitchell at No. 9 and Neemias Queta at No. 39
Davion Mitchell, nicknamed "Off Night," from Baylor was selected with the No. 9 pick by the Sacramento Kings in the 2021 NBA Draft on July 29, 2021.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Sacramento, Calif. — . The Sacramento Kings took college championship player and defensive wizard Davion Mitchell from Baylor University with the overall No.9 pick in the 2021 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft. 🎙
. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Mitchell was a three-time National Defensive Player of the Year for the Baylor Bears that won the 2021 NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball title. The point guard also scored or dished out an assist on 37% of the Bears’ points in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. 🎙
.Right after he was drafted by the Kings, a franchise that has failed to make the NBA playoffs for 15 consecutive seasons, Mitchell said he wants to be the “dog on the floor” on defense along with guarding the toughest competitor for Sacramento. 🎙
“That’s kind of been my calling card. I just love to win and I really just do what it takes to win and that’s defense. Defense wins championships,” Mitchell told Publicity Agents. “So, bringing that to the Kings would certainly help their organization because I can be a dog on the floor on offense and defense.” 🎙
.The Kings ranked No. 28 in points allowed during the 2020-2021 season finished dead last in field goals allowed. The team also ranked No. 26 in allowing 3-points made and last in giving up the highest field goal percentage. 🎙
.General manager Monty McNair has made it clear going into his second campaign with the organization that defense is a top priority and finding players with that mindset is well beyond necessary. He got a pretty decent defensive player in the 2020 draft with Tyrese Haliburton out of Iowa State and perhaps another in Mitchell and Queta. 🎙
“We were thrilled to have Davion available at No. 9 and Neemias at (No.) 39,” McNair said. “They both represent what we’re trying to build here, which is bringing in competitors, players with toughness skill, I.Q. great personal character. These guys represent the type of players we want to bring into Sacramento and get us back to the playoffs.” 🎙
.The Kings also picked up a shot-blocker in 7-foot center Neemias Queta from Utah State University. Queta, from Barreio, Portugal, was selected with the 39th pick in the second round. He averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game. 🎙
.How Queta fell under the radar is unbeknownst to McNair. But he didn’t hesitate to get a guy who looked like he could provide some interior help in the middle, defensively. 🎙
“I guess I’m happy that he was playing at Utah State. He may have stayed under the radar for us,” McNair said of the Portuguese player. “I don’t understand how a seven-footer who blocks 100 shots in a year stays under the radar. But what’s intriguing about him and still underrated is his offensive package, I.Q., passing, ability to show touch from outside, and ability to score inside. Obviously, his size will help on the glass.” 🎙
.Davion Mitchell is the third top-10 pick in Baylor’s school history, joining Vinnie Johnson (No. 7 in 1979) and Ekpe Udoh (No. 6 in 2010). Now 22, Mitchell spent three years in the Baylor program, redshirting during the 2018-2019 season. 🎙
.Mitchell was the 2021 National Defensive Player of the Year (and in 2020 and 2019), an All-American, and a two-time All-Big 12 honoree. He’s nicknamed “Off Night” for the reputation of forcing players he’s defending into having an off night. He is also a winner, posting a combined 54-6 record while starting every game during 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. 🎙
.Mitchell played in all 94 games during his three-year collegiate career, recording an 80-14 career record (26-8 at Auburn, 54-6 at Baylor). He came off the bench in 34 games as a freshman during Auburn’s 2018 SEC Championship run and then transferred to Baylor where he started all 60 games.
.Mitchell won 90% of his games during his Baylor career. 🎙
“‘Off night’ is an incredible nickname and I hope there are many off nights in our opponents’ future this year,” McNair said of Mitchell’s repertoire. “I love everything that Davion brings, what he stands for, and the mentality that he’s going to go in and shut down the other team’s best player, which he did all through his college career. Just an incredible asset to add to the team we’re building here.”
.Top 10 of the 2021 NBA Draft 🎙
1. Detroit Pistons - Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State University, G
2. Houston Rockets - Jalen Green, NBA G League Ignite, G
3. Cleveland Cavaliers - Evan Mobley, University of Southern California, C
4. Toronto Raptors - Scottie Barnes, Florida State University, F
5. Orlando Magic - Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga University, G
6. Oklahoma City Thunder - Josh Giddey, Australia, G
7. Golden State Warriors - Jonathan Kuminga, NBA G League Ignite, F
8. Orlando Magic - Franz Wagner, University of Michigan, F
9. Sacramento Kings - Davion Mitchell, Baylor University, G
10. NOLA - Ziaire Williams, Stanford, F
By T. Ray Harvey | PA Public Information Officer and Photographic Artist
Twitter: Tony Ray Harvey @PublicityAgents
T. Ray (Antonio) Harvey is a Public Information Officer and Photographic Artist for Publicity Agents. Harvey is also the author of The HOMICIDAL HANDYMAN OF OAK PARK: MORRIS SOLOMON JR.
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