Sydney NBL star Jerome Randle isn't counting on getting a long-awaited opportunity in the NBA, but one of his teammates hopes playing for the Kings will help propel him into basketball's elite competition.
Livewire point guard Randle made his latest push for the NBA by 25 points in 34 minutes during the Kings 110-91 pre-season loss to Los Angeles Clippers in Hawaii earlier this week.
It was another demonstration of the 31-year-old backcourt ace's offensive skills, a strong suit that has wowed fans in several countries since he turned professional.
Randle was the NBL's MVP in 2016-17 with Adelaide and last season he led the league in both points and assists, but his NBA continues to prove elusive.
The Chicago native has tried out for several clubs in the NBA Summer League over a number of years without landing that coveted contract.
"I feel like I've proven myself to so many," Randle told AAP.
"Now it's just basically up too someone to just say 'OK, this kid has worked his butt off for so many years, he's proven that he's a leader, he's proven that he's way more mature than a 19-year-old kid so let's just give him a shot'.
"No one has been willing to do that for eight years, so maybe it won't happen," he said.
Meanwhile, Randle's compatriot and new Kings teammate Brian Bowen is already on the radar of NBA club scouts.
Some talent spotters have already monitored the 20 year-old at the pre-season Blitz tournament and others are expected to attend NBL games once the season gets underway.
An athletic swingman, Randle was on the NBA radar when he withdrew from the 2018-19 draft in favour of playing professionally overseas.
The first player recruited through the NBL's Next Stars program - an initiative which contracts NBA draft eligible players - Randle opted for Australia over options in China and Europe.
Bowen hopes to follow a similar path to Terrance Ferguson, who was drafted by Oklahoma City Thunder after spending the 2016-17 NBL season with Adelaide.
"I saw Terrance Ferguson come over here and it worked out really well for him now, being drafted pretty high," Bowen told AAP.
"Guys said it was rough for him at first but eventually it smoothed out, so I hope it's the same for me as well."
