Reggie Theus to Be Honored as Sacramento Kings “Original 1985 Legend”
10/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -
When the Sacramento Kings open the doors to the Sleep Train Arena tonight, not only will the season opener mark their 30th Anniversary in Sacramento, the night will pay tribute to the Kings' Original 1985 Legends. As the Kings honor their past, present and future, a Matador will stand out among the legends: CSUN Head Men's Basketball Coach Reggie Theus.
Theus has a career in basketball that spans over 40 years. He has earned NCAA All- American honors, was a two-time NBA All-Star and runner up for the 1979 Rookie of the Year Award. He has been inducted into the Inglewood (CA) High School Hall of Fame and is a member of the UNLV Hall of Fame. Tonight he will be named a Legend.
Theus will be among a group of players to be recognized as the "Kings' Original Legends" for their contributions to the Kings organization. Included in this group are members of the 1985 team: LaSalle "Tank" Thompson, Terry Tyler and Mike Bratz.
When asked about being part of the celebration, Theus was humbled. "It always brings back memories when you start talking about that 1985 team that first year. The fans were so crazy about basketball and excited about having professional basketball in Sacramento. The relationship we had with the community there was enormous. It's an honor to be asked to be part of the event."
Coach Theus spent 13 years as a player in the NBA and is one of only seven players in NBA history to score at least 19,000 points and dish out 6,000 assists. As a member of the Sacramento Kings, he is an important figure in the team's history. Reggie Theus scored the first basket in the history of the Sacramento Kings nearly 29 years ago.
"It's very special to me because I made the first basket in Sacramento Kings history," said Theus. "This celebration is part of history and that will never go away."
Theus played three high-scoring seasons in Sacramento after the club's move from Kansas City to California's capital. As a member of the Kings, Theus dished out at least eight assists per game three times and scored 20 points per game twice. He and Magic Johnson are the only players over 6'6" with 750 assists or more in a season.
The Kings will celebrate the Original 1985 Legends throughout the 2014-2015 season with a number of special programs and events.
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