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Sacramento Kings: 25 Best Players To Play For The Kings

By Phil Watson

Apr 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; DJ Mixmaster Mike performs during half time of the game between the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 114-112. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; DJ Mixmaster Mike performs during half time of the game between the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 114-112. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Original Caption) New York, New York: Maurice Stokes, (12), of the Rochester Royals and Paul Arizin, (partly concealed), of the Philadelphia Warriors contend for the ball under the basket in the second quarter of their game at the Garden. eyeing the play is Neil Johnston, 89-84. It was the first game of a doubleheader, which initiated the new profession in the city.
(Original Caption) New York, New York: Maurice Stokes, (12), of the Rochester Royals and Paul Arizin, (partly concealed), of the Philadelphia Warriors contend for the ball under the basket in the second quarter of their game at the Garden. eyeing the play is Neil Johnston, 89-84. It was the first game of a doubleheader, which initiated the new profession in the city. /

PF-C. 1955-58. Maurice Stokes. 7. player. 67. <strong>How acquired: </strong>2nd overall pick from St. Francis (Pa.), 1955 NBA Draft.

The Rochester Royals added bulk to the frontcourt when they took Saint Francis All-American Maurice Stokes with the second overall pick in the 1955 NBA Draft, but because of complications from a head injury sustained early in his career, Stokes never got a chance to show how great he could have been.

Stokes was the NBA Rookie of the Year for Rochester in 1955-56, also earning All-NBA and All-Star honors.

SAC_07_STOKES
SAC_07_STOKES /

The team moved to Cincinnati for the following season and in two years with the Royals in their new home, Stokes was All-NBA and an All-Star each year, as well as finishing fifth in the MVP voting each season.

He led the NBA in rebounding in 1955-56 and was runner-up in that category in both 1956-57 and 1957-58 while also finishing third in minutes per game and assists in 1956-57 and 1957-58, as well.

Stokes, however, hit his head on the floor in a chase for a loose ball during the final game of the 1957-58 regular season and was knocked unconscious.

Revived with smelling salts, Stokes returned to the game and played in Cincinnati’s playoff opener in Detroit before falling ill on the return flight.

Three days after the initial injury, he lapsed into a coma and was permanently paralyzed due to a condition called post-traumatic encephalopathy. Teammate Jack Twyman raised money for his care and became his legal guardian.

In three seasons with the Royals, Stokes averaged 16.4 points, 17.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in 37.3 minutes per game, shooting 35.1 percent from the floor and 69.8 percent from the line.

Stokes died April 6, 1970, in Cincinnati from a heart attack at just 36 years old. He was posthumously inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.

Next: The Harrisburg Houdini Ran The Show In Rochester

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