When people move long distances to foreign environments or start new jobs, they are faced with a world of new experiences and challenges. For NBA rookies, their situations are no different.

In this year’s draft, the Kings selected three players in the first round—Georgios Papagiannis, Malachi Richardson and Skal Labissiere. Halfway through their initial seasons as NBA players, they have experienced the ups and downs that accompany life as a rookie.

For starters, the game is different than what they’ve been accustomed to.

“Learning, relearning everything pretty much,” Labissiere said of the biggest adjustment he’s made since entering the League. “It’s a different game up here.”

Young players have to learn how to play with NBA vets, often faster and stronger than them thanks to years of strength training and conditioning. Richardson’s biggest adjustment from Syracuse to the NBA reflected the difference in physical abilities.

“Just picking up the speed and strength of everybody,” the rookie guard said. “Guys jump a lot higher, and guys are a lot smarter on the floor.”

Unlike his fellow first-round picks, Papagiannis entered the NBA with European as opposed to NCAA experience under his belt. Even though he has played professionally in Greece, Papagiannis shared similar sentiments to Labissiere and Richardson about transitioning into the Association.

“The first thing is the playing style is really different than I used to play last year,” he said of his most noticeable adjustment since coming over from Greece. “Here, the game’s more physical, faster. When you get to the first practice, you realize you’re in the best League in the whole world.”

Rookies like Richardson, Labissiere and Papagiannis are constantly trying to soak up as much information from all sources, including veterans. Richardson credits his time around other NBA players for accelerating the learning curve.

“Being around these guys, you pick up on different, small things that you actually need to improve yourself,” the 21-year-old said.

Off the court, the rookies have also had to adapt as well. Richardson spent his life on the east coast, going to college in Syracuse after growing up in New Jersey. Labissiere, meanwhile, was born in Haiti, played high school in Tennessee and college ball at Kentucky. Papagiannis was born in Greece and spent nearly all his life there before moving to Sacramento.

For the three rookies, part of adjusting to life away from home has been learning to live without some of their favorite foods. The big man from Greece finds himself craving gyros, one of the most iconic dishes from his country. Richardson, on the other hand, misses proper New York style pizza - something he has yet to find in Sacramento.

“It’s different than back home,” Richardson said.

Lifestyles also change for rookies entering the NBA. After living in the structure of college, filled with classes and study halls taking up the bulk of their time off the court, Labissiere and Richardson were both astonished by how much freedom they now enjoy.

“How much free time I have on my hands,” Labissiere said of his biggest surprise of life as an NBA player. “I’m still trying to figure out what to do with my free time, whenever I’m away from basketball.”

While simultaneously adjusting to life off the court, the rookies have improved their play. When they’ve had chances to play more minutes, they’ve been able to capitalize on opportunities. As the season has progressed, so have the Kings first-year players.

When Richardson has played with the Bighorns this year, he’s been one of the best rookies in the D-League. Earlier this year, he was top five in scoring among rookies with double-digit appearances and shot 44 percent from long distance. He averaged 9.5 free throw attempts as well, which was most among rookies with at least 10 appearances.

After starting the season with the other first-year players, bouncing to and from the Bighorns, Richardson has recently broken into Coach Dave Joerger’s rotation and played meaningful minutes.

Papagiannis has had an up-and-down start to his NBA career, but he has seen development as he’s gained more experience.

“I improved my body,” he said of his biggest area of growth so far. “I’ve lost a lot of weight right now. That’s really helped me.”

His analysis on his game looks to be correct, as he’s scored double digits in his last six outings in Reno. In a stretch that began in early December, Papagiannis has averaged 11.6 points per contest. His redefined physique has allowed him to bang down low with the able-bodied big men of other teams.

“I’ve been in the weightlifting room every day, so I can keep up with the physical game,” Papagiannis said.

Like the Greek center, Labissiere has shown significant development since December, too. As time has gone on, his comfort has increased and led to sharpened production.

“Just a better feel for the game,” the Haitian-born big man cited as his biggest improvement so far.

In Reno, Labissiere has scored double figures in 13 consecutive games. He had four double-doubles over his last nine, including two straight to date. He is able to contribute defensively, averaging 1.3 blocks per game.

The up-and-downs of a season can be tough for NBA rookies. But for this particular batch, they wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Richardson has loved embarking on his NBA journey: “It’s been awesome so far, just being able to wake up and go to work, and being able to play the sport that I love and I’ve been playing my whole life.”

Papagiannis felt the same: “It’s the greatest feeling for me to be here and be playing in this League.”

Halfway through their first years as pros, the rookies seen growth in life both on and off the court.



