AleksandarN
Starter
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2096753
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Francisco Garcia has watched the Sacramento Kings play enough to know that his long-range shooting and versatility will fit in well with his new team.
"It goes right with my style of play," Garcia said Tuesday after being selected with the 23rd pick in the NBA draft. "They do a lot of pick-and-rolls, shooting 3s, and stuff like that."
Garcia, a 6-foot-7, 195-pound swingman who bypassed his senior year at Louisville, Garcia can play both guard positions and small forward. With an abundance of skills to use at three positions, Garcia said he is up for the task to do whatever the Kings ask him to do on the court -- including playing defense.
"Whatever they want me to do I'll do it," he said. "It doesn't really matter. I will bring whatever they want me to bring to the table and I will work hard everyday to get better."
Garcia, a native of the Dominican Republic who now lives in New York, averaged 15.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game during his junior year. Garcia shot 88 percent from the foul line.
"(Garcia) is a multidimensional player," said Geoff Petrie, the Kings president of basketball operations. "And he has improved every year in system that emphasizes in ball movement and team-structured offense. He's a terrific citizens and real competitor."
Garcia scored at least 20 points in three of Louisville's five NCAA tournament games, averaging 17.6 points and 4 assists per game as he led the Cardinals to the Final Four.
Garcia suffered through tragedy last year when his brother was shot and killed in December 2003. The death led Garcia to reassess his own life.
"I just want to be more dedicated," Garcia said, "and take things more seriously because you never know what's going to happen tomorrow."
The selection of Garcia may have came at the right time for the Kings since shooting guard Cuttino Mobley exercised his option Monday to become a free agent July 1.
"He's still an important player for us," Petrie said of Mobley. "We all know that free agency is treacherous and we are going to enter into that over the next three weeks. There are other things that we would like to continue to do with the team, if the opportunities present themselves. But again I think Garcia is a good addition because of his versatility, length, and size."
Garcia, who was named to the honor roll twice at Louisville, said he still plans to get his degree in communications.
"Oh, I will finish," Garcia said. "I will go back during the summer and take computer classes when I'm not doing anything."
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Francisco Garcia has watched the Sacramento Kings play enough to know that his long-range shooting and versatility will fit in well with his new team.
"It goes right with my style of play," Garcia said Tuesday after being selected with the 23rd pick in the NBA draft. "They do a lot of pick-and-rolls, shooting 3s, and stuff like that."
Garcia, a 6-foot-7, 195-pound swingman who bypassed his senior year at Louisville, Garcia can play both guard positions and small forward. With an abundance of skills to use at three positions, Garcia said he is up for the task to do whatever the Kings ask him to do on the court -- including playing defense.
"Whatever they want me to do I'll do it," he said. "It doesn't really matter. I will bring whatever they want me to bring to the table and I will work hard everyday to get better."
Garcia, a native of the Dominican Republic who now lives in New York, averaged 15.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game during his junior year. Garcia shot 88 percent from the foul line.
"(Garcia) is a multidimensional player," said Geoff Petrie, the Kings president of basketball operations. "And he has improved every year in system that emphasizes in ball movement and team-structured offense. He's a terrific citizens and real competitor."
Garcia scored at least 20 points in three of Louisville's five NCAA tournament games, averaging 17.6 points and 4 assists per game as he led the Cardinals to the Final Four.
Garcia suffered through tragedy last year when his brother was shot and killed in December 2003. The death led Garcia to reassess his own life.
"I just want to be more dedicated," Garcia said, "and take things more seriously because you never know what's going to happen tomorrow."
The selection of Garcia may have came at the right time for the Kings since shooting guard Cuttino Mobley exercised his option Monday to become a free agent July 1.
"He's still an important player for us," Petrie said of Mobley. "We all know that free agency is treacherous and we are going to enter into that over the next three weeks. There are other things that we would like to continue to do with the team, if the opportunities present themselves. But again I think Garcia is a good addition because of his versatility, length, and size."
Garcia, who was named to the honor roll twice at Louisville, said he still plans to get his degree in communications.
"Oh, I will finish," Garcia said. "I will go back during the summer and take computer classes when I'm not doing anything."
