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Sacramento Kings: Ray McCallum Helps Fans Forget Jimmer

By Jacob Hammond

Mar 3, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Michael Malone speaks with point guard Ray McCallum (3) between plays against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings head coach Michael Malone speaks with point guard Ray McCallum (3) between plays against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sacramento Kings have two point guards on their current roster and they are both second round picks. Isaiah Thomas and Ray McCallum are both second round picks and are the Kings current point guards. This is a little surprising when Sacramento drafted two point guards in the first round, however, Tyreke Evans and Jimmer Fredette were both let go giving way to the second rounders. Now, Thomas has been starting most of this season and just under 70% of all of his games during his three seasons, even though Thomas was the last pick in the 2011 draft. Then after buying out Fredette, it opened up the backup point guard position for McCallum, who has played well in the minutes he has received lately. Most fans at this point know about Thomas and how well he has played this season, but probably have never heard of McCallum. We will take a moment to find out who is the new point guard for the Kings replacing Fredette.

University of Detroit Mercy

Dec 17, 2012; Syracuse, NY, USA; Detroit Titans guard Ray McCallum (3) dribbles the ball up court during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2012; Syracuse, NY, USA; Detroit Titans guard Ray McCallum (3) dribbles the ball up court during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Coming out of High School McCallum was a McDonald’s All-American, and he surprised many when he chose to play for his father at Detroit passing up scholarships as many bigger universities. McCallum played well as a freshman when he averaged 13 points and five assists per game. He was the first player from University of Detroit Mercy to make the All-Horizon League Team as a freshman, when he was named to the second team. Then as a sophomore he stepped up his game and led the Titans to a NCAA tournament berth. That season he averaged 15 points per game and was one of the top 20 point guards in college as he was a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award. McCallum improved again during his junior season and upped his points to 18.7 while still averaging just under five assists per game. He was the Horizon League Player of the Year and decided to declare himself for the NBA draft after the year.

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