Nor Cal Basketball

Gavin Maloof presented Sacramento Mayor-elect Kevin Johnson with a personalized Kings jersey at the team's home opener Wednesday. Johnson accepted the jersey amid fan applause one day after ousting two-term Mayor Heather Fargo.

"I played 12 years in the NBA and traveled to many other cities, and I can tell you the best fans are here in Sacramento, California," Johnson told the announced crowd of 13,685 at Arco Arena. "We have to make sure we continue to support our team."

That's a message Kings coach Reggie Theus can get behind.

"I'm happy for him, very happy," Theus said. "He's always been very passionate about the city of Sacramento. It didn't surprise me when he wanted to (run for mayor) because that's the kind of guy he is."

Veteran point guard Bobby Jackson said he went to bed before hearing the results of the mayoral race but was happy for Johnson.

"It's huge," Jackson said. "He's done a tremendous job on the court and now he's doing a tremendous job off the court. We know he will do a wonderful job."

Back to Sac – After grabbing four rebounds in the Kings' first four games, Mikki Moore pulled down a game-high 11 on Wednesday. Theus said he had no doubts Moore would get his touch back.

"Mikki's just got to hold on to the basketball," Theus said. "It's been pretty well documented that Mikki had four rebounds in four games, but the ball has hit his hands like 25 times. So, he's there – he just has to finish the play."

Reaching out – The Kings will donate more than 3,500 tickets worth approximately $140,000 to local kids and community members this season through the "Kings for the Community" program. Kings coaches, players and basketball personnel will donate the tickets to "special groups and children from under-served communities," the team announced.

Theus will lead the donation after pledging to give more than $14,000 in tickets.

The pledge followed an annual charitable donation by co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof in the name of their late father. The 10th annual George J. Maloof Sr. Community Cup honored Capital Unity Council this year with a $100,000 donation, which was generated by proceeds from a Kings home exhibition game.

Capital Unity Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting tolerance.

Posted on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PST at http://www.sacbee.com/kings/story/1375088.html
Author: mgutierrez@sacbee.com (Melody Gutierrez)