Kings season primer: Kosta Koufos thrives on fundamentals

The Sacramento Bee provides a primer for each of the 15 players on the Kings’ roster entering their 2015-16 campaign, which begins Wednesday, Oct. 28, at home against the Los Angeles Clippers. View the rest of the profiles here.

Kosta Koufos may not fill the stat sheet, but he could find a starting role by doing the little things that matter.

The center enters his eighth season averaging 5.4 points and 4.7 rebounds. He’s more concerned with good screens per game. Unfortunately, that’s not an official stat.

But coach George Karl has taken notice – impressed in training camp by Koufos’ defense and fundamentals. Karl had him on a short leash when he coached him for two seasons in Denver. Now, Karl says he sees a different player.

“He’s a guy you’re going to like having on the court,” Karl said.

Before the Kings’ preseason finale against New Orleans in Lexington, Ky., Karl said he’s between rookie Willie Cauley-Stein and Koufos as a starter alongside DeMarcus Cousins in the frontcourt.

PLAYER BIO: KOSTA KOUFOS

Position/jersey: Center, No. 41

Height/weight: 7-0, 265

Age: 26

Experience: Seven years

Prior to NBA: Ohio State

Key 2014-15 stat: Averaged 16.6 minutes for Memphis; expected to play a bigger role in Sacramento.

Comment: He’ll be a stalwart on defense and know his role on offense, whether or not he starts.

Jason Jones

MULTIMEDIA

Video: Kosta Koufos familiar with George Karl’s style of play

STORY LINES

Kings’ Kosta Koufos ready to make big impact by doing little things

Kings might rotate starting lineups in the regular season

Big men anchor Kings’ improving defense

Kings looking at different options at power forward

This story was originally published October 24, 2015 at 8:00 PM with the headline "Kings season primer: Kosta Koufos thrives on fundamentals."