Kings Acquire Alex Oriakhi

SACRAMENTO, CA ---- The Sacramento Kings today acquired the draft rights to forward Alex Oriakhi (Or-e-ah-ki) and a trade exception from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for guard Isaiah Thomas, according to Kings General manager Pete D'Alessandro.

Oriakhi was selected by the Suns in the second round (57th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft. The 6-9, 255-pound forward split time with the Sioux Falls Skyforce and Erie Bayhawks of the NBA D-League after playing in France (Limoges CSP) and Israel (Hapoel Holon) in 2013-14. He earned 2013-14 NBA D-League All-Rookie First Team after averaging 7.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game in 43 games with Sioux Falls and Erie.

Prior to his senior season at Missouri, Oriakhi played three seasons at the University of Connecticut, helping the Huskies capture the 2011 NCAA Championship. Oriakhi averaged 7.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in 109 career games in three years at Connecticut.

Selected out of the University of Washington by the Kings in the second round (60th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft, Thomas is averaging 15.3 points (.447 FG%, .360 3pt%, .857 FT%), 2.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.0 assists and 29.1 minutes per game in 216 career games of which he started 153 in three seasons (2011-12 ­ 2013-14) for the Kings.