Stephens invited to court announce at NBA Summer League

The Sydney Kings contingent at the 2023 NBA Summer League is about to get even bigger, with court announcer Eric Stephens heading to Las Vegas on Tuesday. 

The ‘voice of the Kings’ will join the eight current and former Kings already at the Thomas and Mack Centre-based event, to court announce numerous elite fixtures to help take his amazing talents to even greater heights. 

“I'm always looking for new ways to take my announcer game to the next level, " Stephens said. 

“After more than 200 games with the Kings, two FIBA World Cups and the Tokyo Olympics, I started to focus on the NBA.  

“I reached out to my network and all roads led me to Hallpass Media, who started the event.  

“I went back and forth with them for over six months and four weeks ago I got the call-up.” 

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While this will mark Stephens’ first time calling a Summer League game, he has already dipped his toe in the NBA circles previously. 

“This is my first time calling Summer League, but not my first NBA call,” he said. 

“In the late 1990s, I auditioned for the Portland Trailblazers and made it to the final two.  

“I did two pre-season games at the Moda Center and although I didn't get that gig, I learned a lot from the experience. 

“Anytime you can do your thing at the NBA level, it has huge meaning - personally, [this opportunity] is super significant.  

“Heading back to the United States as an Aussie with the support of Kings fans and the franchise, knowing none of it would be possible without them – wow.” 

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During his stay in Las Vegas, Stephens is scheduled to call numerous round games including the likes of the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks, as well as a semi-final. 

But there’s one game, in particular, he’s most looking forward to. 

“I'm most looking forward to the Washington vs Oklahoma City game - I can not wait to call Xavier Cooks and DJ Vasilijevic again," he said.

“It'll be like old home week in Vegas.” 

Stephens hopes to bring back skills with him that he can introduce to the Kings’ game at Qudos Bank Arena, starting with banner night on Sunday, October 8 against Adelaide. 

[During my time there] I just want to feel it, immerse myself in it and take it all in,” he said. 

“Beyond that, I'd like to see where I can take it, who knows, maybe even international NBA games. 

“[In general] I'm always looking to learn. 

“I know that there's a lot I'll take away from the NBA Summer League that I can weave into game night.” 

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