Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
It’s not often that a second-round draft pick outshines an NBA team’s No. 1 selection during the same draft. It might not happen during the 2013-14 season for the Sacramento Kings, but don’t be surprised if it does.
Ben McLemore is gaining most of the glory because he was the first-round pick for the Kings, who consider themselves lucky given that many thought he would be gone before Sacramento got a crack at him. In the second round, the Kings took point guard Ray McCallum from the University of Detroit Mercy, but didn’t know what to make of him until watching him in the 2013 Las Vegas Summer League.
Now the Kings are wondering if McCallum might upstage McLemore as a rookie.
Its very possible that this will happen based on his summer performance. He averaged 12.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. But what McCallum especially brings to the court is discipline. A lot of thanks goes to his father, Ray McCallum Sr., who also coached his son at Detroit Mercy.
McCallum showed his poise and the ability to be a leader in critical moments. That’s something the Kings could use when they give their regulars a rest during a game and want the second unit to keep things going effectively.
McCallum may not start for the Kings, but he will be among the first players off the bench if he continues to take giant steps forward. Sacramento is a team that needs consistency in leadership. McCallum could be their guy — if not this year, then definitely in the future.
