Devin Carter, the Sacramento Kings’ promising rookie, finally made his much-anticipated debut for the Stockton Kings during a game at the Golden 1 Center on Saturday night. Drafted at No. 13 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Carter's introduction to professional basketball had been on hold due to shoulder surgery earlier this year.
After enduring months of recovery following mid-July surgery to repair a torn labrum, Carter stepped onto the court with high expectations—not just within the Kings organization but also from fans eager to see the next big talent shine. The long wait was worth it, as he showcased his skills against the Austin Spurs, leading his team to victory.
Carter’s performance was nothing short of stellar. Playing 33 minutes, he scored 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting, proving his prowess from beyond the arc by sinking six of his nine three-point attempts. His sharpshooting significantly contributed to the Stockton Kings’ narrow 95-93 win, affirming his readiness to compete at the professional level.
Not only did Carter excel offensively, but he also displayed versatility on the court, contributing eight rebounds, three assists, and four steals, collectively known as 'stocks'—a term used to refer to both steals and blocks. Despite the impressive stat line, he did have five turnovers, which is expected as he gets acclimated to the G League and works to improve his game conditioning.
This debut performance reflects Carter's capabilities as he previously had notable averages of 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1 block per game during his junior year at Providence. The Kings are cautiously optimistic about his potential to replicate such production as they navigate through what has been described as a challenging season.
Coach of the Stockton Kings expressed confidence in Carter’s abilities post-game, stating, “Devin’s performance tonight showed why we believe he can be a key player for us moving forward. He not only has the talent but also the work ethic to succeed.”
Fans of the Kings are eager to see how Carter’s skills translate against tougher opponents as the regular season approaches and what this means for the Kings’ strategy moving forward. Carter’s integration back onto the court could play a pivotal role for the team, especially as they seek to build momentum amid the ups and downs of the current NBA season.
Looking forward, the Stockton Kings will rely heavily on Carter’s continued development and performance as they aim to climb the ranks of the G League. With more games under his belt, all eyes will be on how quickly he can adapt to the professional level and if he can maintain the high-scoring rhythm demonstrated during his debut.