Kings rookie forward Robert Woodard II has been recalled from the G League, but he won’t be available to play for Sacramento anytime soon. According to a press release from the team, Woodard suffered a left hamstring strain on Sunday while playing for the Austin Spurs and will be re-evaluated in three or four weeks.
The 40th overall pick in the 2020 draft, Woodard has seen limited action for the Kings this season, logging garbage-time minutes in six games before being assigned to the G League at the end of January. Because Sacramento’s NBAGL affiliate (the Stockton Kings) isn’t in action this season, Woodard joined San Antonio’s affiliate at the G League bubble in Florida.
Although the Spurs have no direct investment in his development, Woodard was playing big minutes for Austin at Walt Disney World, averaging 16.8 PPG, 11.0 RPG, and 1.3 SPG in 12 games (31.3 MPG). He struggled with his shot, however, making 41.5% of his overall attempts and just 21.3% from beyond the 3-point line.
Austin is tied for fourth in the G League standings with an 8-4 record, but if the team is going to make a deep run in the eight-team, single-elimination playoff tournament next week, it will have to do so without Woodard.
The Kings, meanwhile, now have a number of players unavailable, as Jabari Parker and Hassan Whiteside remain in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, while Chimezie Metu is out with a broken wrist. Standout rookie Tyrese Haliburton is also day-to-day with a calf injury.
Way to let him get hurt in the G-league instead of being a contributor in the rotation. For a team desperately needing help defensively, especially at the 4/3 spots, it’s hard for me to understand why he hasnt been used. Can also play some small ball 5. Watch him in the G-league, and you see everything you expected from him. He is all over the floor, doing everything. He is a winning type of player, which this organization needs more of
I hear bout player doing great in g league but when the get called they ain’t nothing like the g league
Except I’ve been saying it since before he was in the G-league, and in his limited minutes with the NBA team, he was very good for them. I was shocked he was drafted so low. I had him going 13th to New Orleans (who could use him themselves)
He goes to the GL to learn some offensive game. That is what the GL is for. He’s not shooting well there. Some draft experts did not consider him worth noticing at all on mocks.
Paul Reed of Depaul is in a similar situation but has more rebounding size.
I mean I dislike it when the GL is NOT used!
I also had Paul Reed way earlier than he went, and there are several teams that should be kicking themselves for passing on him, as so many teams could use him. He reminds me of Paul Milsap. Had him as the first pick of the 2nd round, but thought he could potentially be a late first rounder, depending on the board. Liked him as an option for the Heat at 20
Woodard has been playing a lot at the 5, which probably explains those percentages, and has shown that he can potentially shoot the 3 enough, and that will improve moving forward. Regardless, Sacramento is desperate for defense at those positions, and anyone that impacts the game like Woodard should be in the rotation