By Steve Springer
All he wanted to do was play ball and buy a house for his mama.
So he signed with the University of Louisville, became a charismatic partner in crime with fellow Card Taquan Dean. They wreaked havoc on Tubby Smith, Tom Crean, and John Calipari defenses.
Francisco Garcia has continued to make Mama and Card fans proud by continuing his exciting play into the NBA. Cisco left Louisville a year early, fresh off his Final Four run, drafted in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft by Sacramento and slowly found his game.
Garcia played in 79 games last season, started in 20, and averaged 26 minutes and 12 points per game. More importantly, he became one of those “glue†type players that helped the Kings when the injury bug struck and finally got his chance to shine.
The former Cat-killer had this to say about his contract extension (a reported $30 million for five years) in a news release on the NBA Sacramento Kings’ website:
“I feel great,†explained Garcia. “It’s good to know that I’m going to be here for years to come. This is a great organization that’s moving in the right direction. We have the best owners in the league. Our general manager is one of the best. And we have a good coaching staff with a lot of talented players. I’m looking forward to the upcoming season.â€
Speaking of shining, he has yet to become the go-to-guy for the Kings like he was for Pitino and the Freedom Hall diehards. If he continues to grow on the coaching staff and fans in Sac-Town, he will definitely be shining for years to come.
Mama’s smile probably just got a little bigger, too.
I just wish Cisco played on a team a little closer to the Ville…like the Pacers. One of my husband’s favorite possesions is a basketball signed by Cisco, Taquan, Larry O’ Bannon and Ellis Myles.(Favorite possesion next to me, of course) 😉
Great article Steve; we are all glad to see Francisco do well. I was at the EHS vs Trininty football game last night and saw Kragthorpe at the game. Apparently his son is a quarter back for Trinity and he was there watching. I was glad to see he was sitting on our side of the field; the Eastern side.
That’s a great story and article!
And I notice there’s another talented writer in the family… Way to go, Steve! ; – )
Cisco is da man! What a great tribute to the Pitino system. He deserves everything good that comes his way.