http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14273501p-15083569c.html
Douby gets his first taste of Arco
Watching a Monarchs game gives him an idea of what the arena will be like.
By Melody Gutierrez -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Friday, June 30, 2006
Quincy Douby strolled into Arco Arena, listening to the chants, wondering if this Sacramento crowd would someday be calling his name.
The Kings draftee had only seen the arena on TV. Even with the Monarchs, not the Kings, on the court, he let the basketball atmosphere sink in. And it felt good.
"I had a big Kool-Aid smile walking over here," Douby said from his courtside seat next to teammate Francisco García. "Hearing so much about this place and this being my first time ever, it was real nice.
"Some of the fans showed me some respect. They said hi and congratulations."
The 22-year-old out of Rutgers said the whole experience has been surreal. Douby was drafted 19th overall by Sacramento on Wednesday. He greeted García at Sacramento International Airport on Thursday, his eyes full of excitement, his heart bursting with expectation.
"I woke up in the morning and wondered if it was a dream or something," Douby said. "You're working all your life, and some people don't get to that step. I got to that step of being in the NBA."
It's even more remarkable considering Douby has played organized basketball for only six years. Before that, he played pickup games with buddies and didn't follow the NBA.
He joined his high school team as a junior. One year and another school later, he lit up the scoreboards by averaging 35.6 points at Grady High School in New York.
"I came a long ways," he said. "Making it to the NBA is a real big accomplishment. I'm just real grateful and humble."
The Brooklyn-born athlete said his first purchase will be a 2007 Escalade.
"I don't have a car, so that's what I'm thinking of getting," Douby said. "This is definitely a life-changing experience for me, being in the NBA now. I have money now. But I'm not trying to think about it."
The noise of the arena muffled Douby's deep voice, but his gentle demeanor was unmistakable. He complimented Kings players and said he is looking forward to playing for new coach Eric Musselman, who stopped by Douby's seat to shake hands with his new guard. With Musselman also new to the team, Douby said he thinks they will come together nicely.
"He said he's looking forward to working with me," Douby said. "I'm excited to meet the other players."
He didn't have to introduce himself to García, his former roommate at the Reebok ABCD Camp, the largest high school basketball showcase in the country. García said Douby is a nice addition to the team and plans to guide the rookie by remembering things he struggled with last season.
"He's another great shooter to feed the basketball to," Garciá said. "I know he's got a lot of heart."
Douby did leave himself open for razzing by calling the Lakers his favorite team and Kobe Bryant his favorite player.
"I was just being honest," Douby said. "I also like LeBron James and Ron Artest. I like a variety of players."
About the writer: The Bee's Melody Gutierrez can be reached at (916) 326-5521 or mgutierrez@ sacbee.com.
Douby gets his first taste of Arco
Watching a Monarchs game gives him an idea of what the arena will be like.
By Melody Gutierrez -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Friday, June 30, 2006
Quincy Douby strolled into Arco Arena, listening to the chants, wondering if this Sacramento crowd would someday be calling his name.
The Kings draftee had only seen the arena on TV. Even with the Monarchs, not the Kings, on the court, he let the basketball atmosphere sink in. And it felt good.
"I had a big Kool-Aid smile walking over here," Douby said from his courtside seat next to teammate Francisco García. "Hearing so much about this place and this being my first time ever, it was real nice.
"Some of the fans showed me some respect. They said hi and congratulations."
The 22-year-old out of Rutgers said the whole experience has been surreal. Douby was drafted 19th overall by Sacramento on Wednesday. He greeted García at Sacramento International Airport on Thursday, his eyes full of excitement, his heart bursting with expectation.
"I woke up in the morning and wondered if it was a dream or something," Douby said. "You're working all your life, and some people don't get to that step. I got to that step of being in the NBA."
It's even more remarkable considering Douby has played organized basketball for only six years. Before that, he played pickup games with buddies and didn't follow the NBA.
He joined his high school team as a junior. One year and another school later, he lit up the scoreboards by averaging 35.6 points at Grady High School in New York.
"I came a long ways," he said. "Making it to the NBA is a real big accomplishment. I'm just real grateful and humble."
The Brooklyn-born athlete said his first purchase will be a 2007 Escalade.
"I don't have a car, so that's what I'm thinking of getting," Douby said. "This is definitely a life-changing experience for me, being in the NBA now. I have money now. But I'm not trying to think about it."
The noise of the arena muffled Douby's deep voice, but his gentle demeanor was unmistakable. He complimented Kings players and said he is looking forward to playing for new coach Eric Musselman, who stopped by Douby's seat to shake hands with his new guard. With Musselman also new to the team, Douby said he thinks they will come together nicely.
"He said he's looking forward to working with me," Douby said. "I'm excited to meet the other players."
He didn't have to introduce himself to García, his former roommate at the Reebok ABCD Camp, the largest high school basketball showcase in the country. García said Douby is a nice addition to the team and plans to guide the rookie by remembering things he struggled with last season.
"He's another great shooter to feed the basketball to," Garciá said. "I know he's got a lot of heart."
Douby did leave himself open for razzing by calling the Lakers his favorite team and Kobe Bryant his favorite player.
"I was just being honest," Douby said. "I also like LeBron James and Ron Artest. I like a variety of players."
About the writer: The Bee's Melody Gutierrez can be reached at (916) 326-5521 or mgutierrez@ sacbee.com.
