The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IN just his second NBA season, Buddy Hield is looking to take on a leadership role with the Sacramento Kings and represent the "culture change" the franchise is eager to make.

Hield turned down an opportunity to appear at this week's Basketball Without Borders Americas camp and opted instead to attend the Kings' Summer League mini-camp to set the tone as a leader to the younger players on the roster and better prepare himself for the event.

"It's my role now, it was a role for me since I was in college and I'm just trying to make that translate. I know we added some new vets to the team, but I'll still take on a leadership role, even when they get here, trying to be the leader the young guys need me to be. Somebody has to make a change and we're trying to change the culture around here," Hield said.

"My goal is just to go out there and just be efficient and get better, work on weaknesses, make shots, win games and try to lead these young guys. To try to change the culture here in SAC and start off right, using my experience I've had in the NBA so far and try to take that into Summer League. You know it's going to be chaotic, fast and guys are going to try and be up and down a lot, but just try to control the game and have fun and compete."

The 2017 NBA Summer League takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada from July 7-17 at the Thomas and Mack Center and Cox Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Sacramento will play at least five games, beginning with its first contest on tonight against the Phoenix Suns at 10:30 pm local time. The Kings next game will take place on Sunday, July 9 versus the Memphis Grizzlies, followed by the final preliminary round game for Sacramento on Monday, July 10 at 10:30 pm against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Hield is expected to lead the Summer League squad that includes fellow second-year players Skal Labissiere, Georgis Papagiannis and a star-studded rookie class featuring No.5 selection in this year's draft: De'Aaron Fox, Justin Jackson, Harry Giles and Frank Mason III.

"It's a lot of young guys. We just have to learn the game and know each other better because we're going to be playing for a long time and we're just trying to build that team chemistry," Hield said, "I love the competition, Fox is doing well, the game is faster but it's going to slow down for him. Justin is doing well, Harry is adjusting, Frank is doing well - he's from the Big 12 and I always want to rep my Big 12 guys. I like them, they're having fun and they're asking questions all the time. They want to get better and they want to learn. I'm like a vet to them in Summer League so I'm just trying to lead them. The guys are working hard on their weaknesses and getting better to compete. Skal is working hard, Poppa slimmed down a lot. We play together we compete and have fun, but everything doesn't happen overnight, it takes time."

The Grand Bahama native and Sacramento Kings guard was named to the 2016-17 NBA All-Rookie First Team this offseason.

Hield became the 16th player in Kings franchise history and the 11th during the Sacramento era to earn All-Rookie Team distinction, a list that includes teammate Willie Cauley-Stein (2015-16 All-Rookie Second Team).

He played 57 games with the New Orleans Pelicans before he was traded to the Kings in February. In 25 games for the Kings, Hield made 18 starts and averaged 15.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game and 42 percent shooting from three-point range. On the season he averaged 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds on 42 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent from three-point range. He finished fourth in 3-point and free throw percentage, eighth in field goal percentage and 11th in rebounding among all rookies.

"By the tenth game last year I kind of got what was going on but I continue to get better day by day," Hield said, "As a basketball player, you get to adjust and you start to know where your shots come from. I picked up quick, watched a lot of film and it's all second nature to me now."The Kings roster continues to fluctuate during the NBA Free Agency period as

The Kings roster continues to fluctuate during the NBA Free Agency period as they look to contend in the Western Conference and improve on last year's 32-50 record; 12th in the conference and third in the Pacific division.

The Kings have reportedly agreed to free agent deals with veteran forward Zach Randolph and guard George Hill.