Emmanuel Sharp Expected to Get Real Minutes as a Rookie in Sacramento

Emmanuel Sharp, the Israeli guard taken 45th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2026 NBA Draft, is projected to have a real role right away if his new team follows through with its rebuild. The piece says that, while a second-round pick does not guarantee an NBA contract, Sacramento’s young roster should give Sharp a chance to play starting in October.

Sam Vecenie of The Athletic gave the Kings an A+ for the draft and said Sharp should see meaningful minutes in his rookie season because Sacramento is likely to be a weak team. He praised Sharp as Houston’s second-winningest player ever, calling him an excellent three-point shooter and a strong defender who won individual Big 12 honors. Vecenie added that the Kings need players who do the little things, and said Sharp and No. 29 pick Alex Karban fit that description.

Vecenie also highlighted No. 7 pick Darius Acuff Jr., saying it was significant that a top prospect wanted to come to Sacramento over other destinations. He said Acuff can become a strong lead guard with All-Star upside, and noted that the Kings surrounded him with winners, including Karban and Donovan Clingan, who won two college titles at Connecticut. He said Sacramento’s draft was his second favorite in the NBA, behind Memphis.

The Kings also announced Sharp’s jersey number: 34, the same number he wore in high school. At Houston he wore 21, and with Israel’s cadet national team he wore 4. Acuff will wear No. 5. If all goes as planned, the 2026/27 season could feature four Israelis in the NBA, alongside Deni Avdija, Ben Sharaf, and Danny Wolf.