The Sports Informant

Sacramento, the capital of California, is the home of debate amongst the state’s top politicians. One thing most of them aren’t debating about, though, is who they think should be getting the NBA’s Rookie of the Year Award.

According to a release from the Sacramento Kings, U.S. Congress members Doris Matsui and Dan Lungren and California Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg are the latest prominent California political leaders to endorse Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans for NBA Rookie of the Year.

Politicians in Sacramento have endorsed Kings' rookie Tyreke Evans for Rookie of the Year. (Photo courtesy Greg Ashman)

The push came with the Kings trying to promote a March 10 “Rally for RekeROY’ Night at Arco Arena. Politicians urged all local fans and city members to attend the event, hoping to spark interest in the community. Matsui, Lungren and Steinberg joined Sacramento Mayor and former NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson, California Assemblymember Roger Niello, Sacramento County Supervisor Jimmie Yee and many other prominent local leaders in urging all Sacramentans to rally to show the nation how Sacramento is supporting Evans for NBA Rookie of the Year by attending the event.

“It is with great enthusiasm I add my name to the long list of people endorsing Tyreke Evans for NBA Rookie of the Year,” Matsui said last week. “I am pleased and proud to support such a deserving, hardworking athlete who represents the Sacramento region so well. Tyreke epitomizes the potential and energy of not only our Sacramento Kings, but also our entire region.”

“Tyreke is a gifted athlete, with a strong community presence,” Lungren said. “His impact and incredible results on the court have reignited the excitement and enthusiasm at Arco Arena. The Sacramento Kings are truly an asset to the region and Tyreke’s unique athletic ability has brought the national spotlight back to Sacramento, its people and our team.”

Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg added his two cents, saying, “The Sacramento Kings have been a local institution and civic contributor for 25 years. I urge all residents of the greater Sacramento area to rally with me and many others supporting Tyreke’s bid for NBA Rookie of the Year.”

The first 10,000 fans in attendance at ‘Rally for RekeROY’ Night received an exclusive Cache Creek ‘Rally for RekeROY’ T-shirt. Fans were also treated to a spectacular show during pregame introductions that included black light special effects. The game also marked the introduction of the R-O-Y chant at Arco Arena.

The movement calling for Evans to get the Rookie of the Year Award has been one going on all season, and got particularly strong when Evans was named Western Conference Rookie of the Month the first two months of the season.

Now, with the help of political leaders and Evans’ continuous success with the progression of the season, the rookie guard for the Kings seems the heavy favorite to take the award.

With just a few months left in the season, there’s still time for others to catch Evans in the running, but as of now, it seems to be his award to lose.