Kings Bring Basketball 101 Class to Roseville

The Sacramento Kings held its fifth installment of “Basketball 101” at Wednesday night.

The class, available to Kings season ticket holders and a few lucky CalFit members, featured appearances by assistant general manager Shareef Abdur-Rahim, play-by-play announcer Grant Napear, video coordinator Todd Purves, strength and conditioning coach Daniel Shapiro and official George Putnam. Classes cover strategy, scouting, conditioning, officiating and broadcasting.

Purves says that the class is a good way to connect with the community.

“It’s wonderful to hear what the fans have to say,” he said. “They’re inquisitive. It’s great to share with them.”

Fans were invited to ask the panel of guests their questions about what goes inside the organization. Stan Bishop was one of those fans who took advantage of the opportunity to learn.

“It was very interesting for someone who really doesn’t know the game of basketball,” he said. “To have these gentlemen come in and describe the basics, what they do, how the organization works – very informative.”

One of Shapiro’s favorite parts of Basketball 101 was being able to answer questions from the fans.

“The fans are a big part of what’s keeping us going,” he said. “We have me, Shareef, Todd, George and Grant – You bring in all different aspects of basketball, all different professions but we all work for the same team.”

If there was one thing that Basketball 101 could help the fans with, maybe Bishop put it into perspective, something he learned that night.

“To appreciate the game more,” Bishop said.

The last class will be held this Wednesday at California Family Fitness in Citrus Heights on 7700 Sunrise Blvd.