The Sacramento Kings’ Nik Stauskas, left,Jonathan Moore/Getty Images
A year ago, Nik Stauskas was an ace three-point marksman for one of the most exciting teams in college basketball, a guy who rarely left the floor.
Today he's a rookie in the NBA, a kid looking to find his way. He battles for minutes with the 16-27 Sacramento Kings, hopes for his shots to fall, shrugs off trade rumours that swirl around him and adjusts to a grinding travel schedule worlds beyond anything he experienced in college.
The 21-year-old Mississauga native made his first appearance as a pro at the Air Canada Centre Wednesday – a place he had seen some 100 Toronto Raptors games growing up. Some 200 friends and family members came to watch as the rookie got into the game for 17 minutes and provided eight points in Sacramento's 119-102 loss to Toronto.
At Michigan last season, Stauskas was the Wolverines' top option on offence, averaging 17.5 points a game. The invaluable guard led the team in multiple categories: minutes per game (35.6), shots (11), three-pointers (2.6), free throws (5.6) and points (17.5). The fans in Ann Arbor loved his swagger and waved maize and blue Canadian flags at Crisler Arena. He led U-M to a 29-8 record and a run to the NCAA regional final last year, a season after helping them to the NCAA title game.
The Kings viewed the 6-foot-6 guard as the best shooter in the draft when they picked him eighth overall. He has appeared in 41 of Sacramento's 44 games, averaging just 14.2 minutes a contest, 3.7 points and one rebound. He's shooting just 34 per cent from the field, and 28 per cent from beyond the arc. He has had his moments though – such as a 15-point performance playing 30 minutes versus the Utah Jazz back in December.
"In college, I was playing 35 to 40 minutes a night; but here I might just play in spurts of five minutes," Stauskas said. "I need to be ready for those five minutes. That's been the biggest adjustment for me."
Trade rumours began to swirl recently that the Kings may be looking to shop him if they could find front-court help for DeMarcus Cousins. Stauskas says that chatter doesn't bother him. Several Kings players have befriended him, especially second-year player Ben McLemore.
"I've just been telling him, I had the same droughts too last year, the ups and downs," said McLemore, now a Kings starter. "I told him, 'Just keep up your confidence and you'll be fine.'"
Kings coach Tyrone Corbin says Stauskas needs to build a stronger body to better defend, read double teams and react and take what the defence gives him. Some pundits have speculated he needs some time in the NBA Development League.
"The NBA is a lot about confidence and just knowing you belong," Stauskas said. "I know I belong at this level, and I feel like I improve every day in practice. It's now about going into the games and making it happen."
While fellow Canadians Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Olynyk were asked to play in the Rising Stars Challenge with the league's top first- and second-year players during the NBA all-star weekend, Stauskas says he has his sights set on next year's game.
"I don't think I'm deserving of it at this point," Stauskas said. "I'd rather make it next year in Toronto, when I really deserve it."