National Basketball Association

Kings select Cousins with fifth pick in NBA draft

Published Jun. 24, 2010 9:21 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Sacramento Kings took another step toward bolstering their front court by selecting Kentucky forward DeMarcus Cousins with the No. 5 pick in the NBA draft.

Cousins joins newly acquired Samuel Dalembert, who came to the Kings in a trade last week with Philadelphia to provide a defensive boost inside.

The 6-foot-11 All-American freshman Cousins averaged 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 23.5 minutes per game and led the Southeastern Conference with 20 double-doubles in his lone college season for the Wildcats.

The Kings were hoping to draft a player this year who can make an immediate impact and get the franchise back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2005-06 season.