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In college and early in his pro career, he exhibited good speed and athleticism but little power.

“I say that because with both qualifying sessions being a superspeedway and superspeedway package we sort of knew coming from Daytona that we were going to have good speed. So not a huge surprise but really cool.”

“You need great instincts, footwork, physicality at the line, good speed. The key for me is when the ball is thrown, I look at their eyes and hands.”

“He’s driving a group of players. He’s not reacting to a group of players. And whether that’s what we’re doing or the other team is doing, he’s just in charge of the situation,” Kings coach Todd McLellan said of the 6-foot-4, 225-pound center who has been blessed with quick hands and surprisingly good speed.

“I always had good size and good speed, and I was kind of a natural blocker.”