Josh Akognon: Led Sacramento Kings in Summer League, Playing for the NBA

Leading the Sacramento Kings Summer League in scoring is impressive, but it is only the beginning of an explanation of the skills of Josh Akognon. I spoke with Josh today about his prospects for reaching the NBA and the balance of chasing a dream and maturing with a family.

Akognon continues to impress fans with his skillful shooting and efficient numbers.

He averaged 19.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game this summer with Sacramento. His whirlwind of scoring came in limited minutes off the bench, making the statistic even more significant.

Josh provided countless feats as the starting point guard for Cal State Fullerton and has been playing professionally overseas in Estonia and China. His quickness to pull up for jump shots before any defender can react makes him a deadly threat to score from distance.

We talked about his time playing with Jimmer Fredette, friendship with Jeremy Lin and prospects of making an NBA roster this year.

Josh acknowledges that, although his play-making needs improvement to meet the standards of the professional ranks in the NBA, his scoring is what sets him apart as a top prospect.

Crowded rosters and world-class competition make the road to the NBA the biggest challenge he has faced in his career—after the draft proved disappointing following his college graduation.

Beyond the court, Akognon’s disposition is that of an intelligent and thoughtful individual.

He has as good a head on his shoulders as he has arc on his jump shot. His strong work ethic has served him well in his career and bodes well for his future, as he now ponders the offer from Mark Cuban to visit with the Mavericks.

Akognon understands the difficulty of achieving his dream, yet his pursuit is unceasing.

His talent and potential to score has been proved, and he waits for the right opportunity to present itself to showcase his talent on the next level. He will undoubtedly be ready should the offer arise.

You can listen to the entirety of our interview from my podcast.