SACRAMENTO - After adding big man Giorgios Papagiannis with the No. 13 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Sacramento decided to finally fill a position of weakness. Needing a guard in the worst way, the Kings selected Malachi Richardson out of Syracuse University with the No. 22 pick.
The 20-year-old shooter was feeling the pressure in the green room, waiting longer than expected to hear his name called/
"It feels like an animal being lifted off my back," Richardson told NBA.com. "Just waiting and waiting to hear your name called is sort of crazy. But I'm just glad and thankful I was picked by the Sacramento Kings, and I look forward to it."
[HAM: Report: Kings trading guard Belinelli to Hornets for 22nd pick]
The 6-foot-6, 200-pound wing averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game as a freshman with the Orangemen. He has tremendous length and athleticism, posting a 7-foot wingspan and a 38-inch vertical, but he's raw and will need time to develop.
"I just look forward to going out there and working my tail off, trying to help that organization," said Richardson.
In his lone college at Syracuse, Richardson struggled with his shot, hitting just 36.9 percent from the floor and 35.3 percent from long range.
Sacramento acquired the rights to the No. 22 pick earlier in the day in exchange for veteran shooting guard Marco Belinelli to the Charlotte Hornets.
