Dylan Cardwell: Sacramento Kings Rookie Stuns LeBron James
In a thrilling NBA game, Dylan Cardwell, the rookie center for the Sacramento Kings, got the opportunity to guard his boyhood hero, LeBron James, of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Kings defeated the Lakers 124-112 on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Cardwell’s performance and the experience of facing James have made headlines across the sports world.
Cardwell’s Dream Come True
Cardwell, an Auburn alumnus, has been a fan of LeBron James since his childhood. He shared his excitement about the game, saying, “Wore six all the way throughout my frigging childhood. I was with the arm sleeve and the headbands, and I was too poor to afford LeBrons (shoes), but if I could afford the LeBrons when I was a kid, I would’ve wore LeBrons, too. But LeBron’s my favorite player my whole life.”
A Block to Remember
Cardwell’s excitement reached new heights when he managed to block a shot by James. He humorously said, “And it was nice out there to finally— you know, I got a block on LeBron, so that’s something I’ll tell my kids. I dunked the ball when he was in the area, and so I’m going to frame it and say, ‘Hey, kids, you know, Pops dunked on LeBron.’”
The GOAT
Cardwell considers James the greatest of all time, saying, “You know, that’s my GOAT growing up. No offense, Michael Jordan. But it was real fun and real exciting to have the opportunity, and it’s a blessing to go out here and play. Like I said, my dream job every single day.”
Cardwell’s Journey to the NBA
After helping Auburn reach the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA basketball tournament, Cardwell signed a two-way contract with the Sacramento Kings. This contract allows the Kings to shuttle the center between the NBA roster and their NBA G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings. In 16 games with Stockton, Cardwell has averaged 10.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.6 blocked shots.
Playing for the Kings
Cardwell has played in 13 games with Sacramento, including the past four and 10 of the past 14 as the Kings deal with an injury to center Drew Eubanks, with all-star power forward Domantas Sabonis and forward Keegan Murray already sidelined. His performance has been impressive, with career highs of nine points and 11 rebounds in 19 minutes against the Houston Rockets and two points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes against the Lakers.
Coach’s Praise
Sacramento coach Doug Christie praised Cardwell, calling him “a special young man” whose on-the-court personality is turning him into a fan favorite at the Golden 1 Center. Christie said, “With Dylan, he plays with joy. So I really enjoy coaching him, but also watching him and experiencing the Dylan Cardwell experience because it is that. His willingness to be coached and take in information is really high level.”
Cardwell’s Impact
Christie further added, “Whether me and him sit and watch film or he just comes up to me and is like, ‘Coach, what you got for me today?’ Like something. And then whether we’re talking about the little things of screening angles, timing in, running out, chesting the ball, rebounding with two hands—I didn’t really have to tell him that. But then the way that he sprints in screens to create space that creates the advantage once the screen is set, and he sets really good screens. His communication on defense and his fearlessness with his level of physicality and not trying to be friends with the opposition.”
Statistical Performance
In his 13 games with the Kings, Cardwell has averaged 4.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocked shots per game. Sacramento has been outscored by two points in Cardwell’s 229 minutes on the court. Among the other Kings players with more than 102 minutes of playing time this season, none has a better differential than minus-99.
Cardwell’s Humble Approach
Cardwell remains humble and focused on continuous improvement. He said, “I want to learn. I want to get better. I want to play in the NBA for a long time. And the only way you can do that is by humbling yourself and being a student of the game. And I just try to learn as much as I possibly can, and the best way to do that is through experience. And so, you know, you got guys with 20 years of experience on the court across from me, guys that played in the Olympics, guys that are 20-time all-stars, and so just getting thrown into the fire has been fun.”
Conclusion
Dylan Cardwell’s performance against the Los Angeles Lakers and his opportunity to guard his boyhood hero, LeBron James, have made him a standout rookie for the Sacramento Kings. His passion, dedication, and humility are qualities that make him a player to watch in the NBA. As the season progresses, Cardwell’s journey from Auburn to the NBA continues to inspire fans and fellow players alike.
