22
Oct
5 min read
Sacramento Kings NBA Profile: Five things you need to know
The franchise with more cowbell than any other
- Oldest NBA franchise with a storied history dating back to 1923
- Made the playoffs in 2023 after a 16-year drought, ending longest active postseason absence in major North American sports
- Known for exciting "Greatest Show on Court" era in early 2000s led by Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic and Mike Bibby
The Sacramento Kings are one of the NBA's oldest and most historic franchises, tracing their roots back to the Rochester Seagrams founded in 1923. After stints in Rochester, Cincinnati, Kansas City and Omaha, the team settled in California's capital city in 1985. The Kings play fast-paced style led by dynamic guard De'Aaron Fox and versatile big man Domantas Sabonis with a passionate fanbase that rallies around "Light the Beam" victory tradition at Golden 1 Center.
Key Details
Location: Sacramento, California
Year Founded: 1923 (in Rochester), 1985 (in Sacramento)
Home Arena: Golden 1 Center
Championships: 1 (1951 as Rochester Royals)
Major Rivals: Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors
Australians who have played for the Sacramento Kings
Matthew Dellavedova: Born in Maryborough, Victoria, Dellavedova signed with the Kings in July 2022. Known for his tenacious defense and playmaking abilities, he provided veteran leadership during the 2022–2023 NBA season. Dellavedova has also been a key member of the Australian national team, contributing to their success in international competitions.
Chima Moneke: Nigerian-born and raised in Australia, Moneke signed a two-year deal with the Kings in July 2022. Prior to joining Sacramento, he played in Europe and was named MVP of the Basketball Champions League. Moneke's signing added depth to the Kings' forward rotation.
Identity
The Kings have embraced an up-tempo, exciting brand of basketball under head coach Mike Brown. Their offensive system leverages the speed and playmaking of point guard De'Aaron Fox alongside the passing and versatility of centre Domantas Sabonis. Sacramento aims to play with pace, spacing the floor with shooters to open driving lanes.
Culturally, the Kings have developed a passionate fanbase that rallies around the "Light the Beam" tradition - illuminating a purple victory beam from atop Golden 1 Center after wins. This has created a unique home court atmosphere and sense of community pride.
Legacy & Impact
The Kings' greatest era came in the early 2000s, when the "Greatest Show on Court" featuring Chris Webber, Peja Stojakovic, Mike Bibby and others consistently contended in the Western Conference. While falling short of a championship, this team left an indelible mark on NBA history with their exciting style of play.
After years of struggles, the Kings returned to prominence in 2022-23 by making the playoffs and pushing the defending champion Warriors to 7 games. This reignited enthusiasm in Sacramento and established the Kings as an up-and-coming force in the league.
Five Fast Facts
- The Kings' 16-year playoff drought from 2007-2022 was one of the longest in NBA history
- Oscar Robertson and Nate Archibald are among the Hall of Famers who played for earlier iterations of the franchise
- The team's mascot is Slamson the Lion, who debuted in 1997
- Sacramento rallied to keep the Kings from relocating to Seattle in 2013
- The Kings have had the longest active playoff drought in the four major North American sports leagues multiple times
Club Timeline
1923: Rochester Seagrams founded
1945: Join National Basketball League as Rochester Royals
1951: Win NBA championship
1957: Relocate to Cincinnati
1972: Move to Kansas City-Omaha, later just Kansas City
1985: Relocate to Sacramento
2002: Reach Western Conference Finals, lose controversial series to Lakers
2006: Last playoff appearance before 16-year drought
2023: Return to playoffs, push Warriors to 7 games in first round
Today
The Kings have established themselves as an exciting young team on the rise in the Western Conference. Led by the dynamic backcourt duo of De'Aaron Fox and Malik Monk alongside versatile big man Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento employs an up-tempo offensive system that ranked as one of the NBA's most efficient in 2022-23.
Head coach Mike Brown has instilled a culture of accountability while letting his players' talents shine. The passionate fanbase has rallied around the team's success, making Golden 1 Center one of the league's rowdiest environments. While still chasing their first championship since 1951, the Kings have re-emerged as a relevant force in the NBA landscape.
