Two players in the Sacramento Kings locker room have vested interest in tonight’s National Championship game between the University of Kentucky and the University of Connecticut. Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins will both be watching Monday’s game as NBA teammates as well as college rivals.
“Well I mean as far as bets, I’ve pretty much won all of them up until now,” Gay said last night when asked if there are any bets or trash talk going on between him and Cousins leading up to tonight’s game. “So just one more and then I got the triple crown and we’ll see what DeMarcus will have to do.”
The Huskies’ amazing run as a No. 7 seed in this year’s tournament doesn’t come as a surprise to Gay. The veteran small forward has had a longstanding relationship with Huskies head coach Kevin Ollie, who played for 12 different teams including the Kings in 12 NBA seasons.
“Man, I’m so happy for him,” Gay said of Ollie. “The way he played and the way he kept his composure and the kind of career he had kind of sums up what kind of coach he is. He was one of those guys that played with different teams and still always was the same player. So he’s definitely a great coach and great motivator.”
Gay has kept close tabs on UConn throughout the season and has forged connections with members of this year’s team. Ahead of tonight’s title game, Gay has already reached out to each one of them to voice his support.
“I’ve talked to all of them,” Gay said. “These are the guys that you send a text out and try to motivate them because we’re like a family. UConn is really like a family.”
The Kings have today off after playing last night against the Dallas Mavericks. Whether Gay and/or Cousins take a private jet to the Lone Star State for tonight’s championship game is yet to be determined.
“Still not sure,” Gay said when asked Sunday if he would try to fly out for the game. “It would be good to see coach Ollie, who always came back when I was there in school and always had things to say and tried to help me progress on the next level. Any way I can support him I will. If I can, I would.”
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