Kings season primer: Rudy Gay wants to improve, show versatility

Bee Sports Staff

Updated October 25, 2015 3:00 AM

Kings forward Rudy Gay looks to make a pass as he’s defended by Ben McLemore and Kosta Koufos (41) during training camp at UC San Diego’s RIMAC Arena on Oct. 1. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com

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.

Rudy Gay put up some of the best statistics of his career last season. He averaged bests in points (21.1) and assists (3.7). But the Kings stumbled to their ninth consecutive losing record, credit, or discredit, spread among three different head coaches.

So Gay, about to begin his 10th season – and third for the Kings – was unsatisfied with the numbers. The Kings hope Gay can be even better, and Gay would like to thrive for a successful team. If his 6-of-7 effort from three-point range in a recent preseason game against the Suns is an indication – who knows, it’s the preseason – those numbers could pile up.

Coach George Karl says his offensive schemes should benefit a player like Gay. Although Gay is accustomed to playing small forward, Karl will use him at times as a power forward, which will allow him to put his post skills to work against undersize defenders.

“The fact you don’t have an emphasis on positions (from Karl) plays into my strengths,” Gay said.

PLAYER BIO: RUDY GAY

Position/jersey: Forward, No. 8

Height/weight: 6-8, 230

Age: 29

Experience: Nine years

Prior to NBA: Connecticut

Key 2014-15 stat: Averaged a career-high 3.7 assists

Comment: Coming off a career year, he’s still out to prove he’s a multidimensional player who can perform even better.

Jason Jones