SACRAMENTO -- Kings fans love an underdog and they fell head over heels for big man, Jack Cooley. NBC Sports California confirmed Sunday morning that the 27-year-old bruiser was not extended a qualifying offer from the Kings before the start of Saturday’s NBA free agency period, making him an unrestricted free agent.
After toiling in European leagues for a few years, the 6-foot-10, 274 pound power forward/center became a fan favorite at Las Vegas Summer League last summer. His gritty, physical style earned him a cult-like following and a two-way contract with Sacramento.
The former Notre Dame star spent the 2017-18 season bouncing back and forth between the Kings’ G-League affiliate in Reno and the parent club. He put up big numbers for the Bighorns, finishing the year with 17.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
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Cooley’s opportunities in Sacramento weren’t as frequent. He played in a total of seven games for the Kings, posting 5.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 12.4 minutes of action.
After a year in Sacramento, Cooley has already signed on to play with the Phoenix Suns in Summer League next week in Las Vegas.
Cooley out, Sampson in?
Cooley did not receive a qualifying offer from Sacramento, but the team’s second two-way player did. JaKarr Sampson is now a restricted free agent, giving the Kings an opportunity to match offers for the 25-year-old forward.
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Sampson appeared in 22 games last season in Sacramento, averaging 4.7 points and 3.7 rebounds. He’s spent time this summer working with the team and is an option as a combination forward this season.