FORMER NBL Next Star Mojave King produced his best performance in the G-League for Ignite over the weekend, delivering 28 points in his side’s 10-point win over the Santa Cruz Warriors on Sunday.

King departed the Adelaide 36ers over the offseason having been offered a spot the G-League’s Ignite team, which boasts some of the world’s top young talent and has been recognised as a genuine pathway to the NBA. Playing with big names such as Scoot Henderson, King shone with an outstanding shooting performance.

The New Zealand-born wing boosted his draft stock with Sunday’s performance, shining in a match that was full of young guns. He scored the most points of anyone on the court, and was one of the main catalysts for Ignite’s comeback victory, after the Warriors got out to an 18-point lead in the first quarter, which was erased over the course of the second half.

Santa Cruz Warriors (115) def. by G-League Ignite (125)

Mojave King – 28 points (9/15 FG, 7/10 3PT), two rebounds, two assists, two steals

Signs of a big game from King were evident early, as the 20-year-old drained the first triple of the match, showcasing his value as a catch-and-shoot player as the shot clock wound down. King displayed his ability to rotate defensively and guard a number of positions, often covering the perimeter but also switching when the Warriors bigs were cutting. His second bucket came with three minutes to play in the term, getting the hand-off at the perimeter, driving to the elbow and draining the mid-range jumper over the defender. Unfortunately for the former 36er and his teammates, Santa Cruz lead by 18 points at the first change, and Ignite had plenty to do.

King’s second trifecta came just a couple of minutes into the second quarter, using his smarts to push out to the perimeter after his teammate secured the offensive rebound, and draining the wide open shot. He spent a bit of time on the bench throughout the course of the term, but came back in for a handy cameo in the dying minutes of the half to splash home yet another three-pointer, which was again thanks to his smart movement behind the arc, but his side still trailed by 18 at the main break.

Ignite began to get going in the third term, and King played a big role in the side’s rejuvenated output. He finished off an excellent Henderson dish with a two-handed jam along the baseline as Ignite chipped away at the deficit. King brought his side within three points with another triple, truly beginning to heat up from behind the arc as Henderson set him up again, before déjà vu kicked in a couple of minutes later with yet another trifecta from the corner. A 28-foot three-pointer with four minutes on the clock was the perfect way for King to close out the term, with one of the best shooting quarters we have seen so far this season.

The fourth quarter was a bit quieter from King, who was closely checked around the perimeter as the Warriors looked to tighten up defensively. He still nailed a massive trifecta six minutes into the quarter, holding strong outside the arc and being rewarded with a wide-open shot from downtown. He also chimed in with a clutch steal in crunch time, reading the Santa Cruz play to perfection and setting up another possession for his side, who were able to storm home for a 10-point win.

King is projected to be a second-round pick in the NBA draft, with plenty to offer as a 3-And-D floor spacer. Sunday’s performance was a bit of a breakout, showcasing how deadly he can be from behind the arc.