Young Kings player picking up the pace

Jason Thompson struggled in the Summer League last year. But after that experience, plus a full NBA season under his belt, the Kings’ 2008 lottery pick is justifying that lofty draft status.

The former Rider star had 23 points and 10 rebounds in Sacramento’s 84-71 win over the New York Knicks this afternoon. Sacramento’s 2009 lottery pick, Tyreke Evans, also had a nice game with 18 points and four assists. Toney Douglas had 15 points for the Knicks, while Jordan Hill added eight points and 12 rebounds.

WATCHFUL EYE

University of Washington head coach Lorenzo Romar was on hand for the game to check out Jon Brockman, one of his former players. Brockman scored just two points, but had 15 rebounds in the victory. Spencer Hawes, another former player for Romar at Washington, is listed on the Kings roster, but was not in uniform.

DID HE KEEP THE RECEIPT, TOO?

Jordan Hill may have been thinking ahead. He played the entire game with the tag still on his jersey. Is it possible he was hoping to return the garment to a store at the mall for a refund when the Summer League is over? It may be a difficult maneuver to pull off. Hill played 28 minutes and broke quite a sweat in the jersey. He was also a lottery pick, so he probably doesn’t need the money.

TOUGH CALL

A veteran basketball commentator walked by before the game and said to keep an eye on official James Williams. He called Williams “the worst basketball official in the world, by far.” Williams did make some very questionable calls in the third quarter, but it would be tough to concur with the harsh criticism after focusing on Williams for just one game.

COMING UP

A pair of games are on tap for the next session, with Minnesota taking on Washington in Cox Pavilion at 5 p.m. and Phoenix meeting the D-League Select team in the Thomas & Mack Center at 5:30. The Timberwolves feature a pair of first-round point guards, Jonny Flynn from Syracuse and Wayne Ellington from North Carolina. The roster also includes Gerald Henderson from Duke.

Washington has a pair of familiar faces to UNLV fans. Kyle Spain of San Diego State, a Rebel nemesis, is joined by former UNR standout JaVale McGee. Over in the Thomas & Mack, Lee Cummard (Brigham Young) and Earl Clark (Louisville) are joined by the other Griffin, Blake’s brother Taylor.