Former North Carolina Tar Heels standout Leaky Black has turned his Sacramento Kings training camp opportunity into a significant career breakthrough, earning a two-way contract after making a strong impression during the preseason.
Black joined Sacramento on a training camp deal in September, entering the preseason with an important objective: demonstrate that he still had what it takes to compete at the NBA level. After delivering several encouraging performances, the 26-year-old has now earned the opportunity to continue his professional journey with the Kings organization.
Sacramento announced Thursday that Black’s contract had been converted into a two-way deal, filling the franchise’s final available two-way roster spot. The agreement represents an important step forward for the former UNC defender, who will now have the opportunity to split his time between the NBA team and its G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings.
For a player who has consistently worked to establish himself in professional basketball, the contract represents a deserved reward for his perseverance, defensive versatility and impressive preseason contributions.
BLACK MAKES HIS CASE DURING PRESEASON
Black understood that his training camp opportunity could be crucial to his future in the NBA. With roster spots limited and competition for professional opportunities fierce, he needed to demonstrate that he could contribute beyond simply providing depth.
His performances during Sacramento’s preseason schedule helped strengthen his case.
Across three preseason appearances, Black averaged 7.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting an impressive 53.8 percent from the field. He also demonstrated his potential as a perimeter threat, connecting on five of his eight attempts from three-point range.
Those numbers offered an encouraging glimpse of his offensive development while reinforcing the qualities that have helped him remain competitive at the professional level.
Although preseason statistics do not guarantee regular-season success, Black’s efficiency and ability to contribute in multiple areas provided Sacramento with reasons to keep him within the organization.
His performances also demonstrated that he could make an impact without requiring a high volume of offensive possessions. That quality is particularly valuable for a player seeking to earn minutes on a roster featuring established NBA talent.
STARTING OPPORTUNITY PROVIDES A MAJOR BOOST
One of Black’s most significant preseason opportunities came against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Inserted into Sacramento’s starting lineup, the former Tar Heel responded with a productive performance, finishing with 10 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal across 32 minutes of action.
The extended playing time gave Black an opportunity to demonstrate his ability to handle a substantial role against NBA competition.
Rather than focusing exclusively on scoring, he contributed across several statistical categories, showing his willingness to rebound, defend and help facilitate the offense.
His performance against Portland was particularly important because it allowed the coaching staff to evaluate him in a more demanding situation. Starting a preseason game and playing 32 minutes provided a different test from receiving a brief appearance off the bench.
Black made the most of that opportunity, strengthening his position as Sacramento evaluated its remaining roster options.
Now, that promising stretch has translated into a contract that gives him another chance to establish himself in the league.
DEFENSIVE VERSATILITY REMAINS HIS BIGGEST STRENGTH
For North Carolina supporters, Black’s development should come as little surprise.
During his five seasons in Chapel Hill, he established himself as a dependable defensive presence who could be assigned to some of the opposition’s most dangerous perimeter players. His combination of size, mobility and defensive awareness made him a valuable part of the Tar Heels’ rotation.
Black was never defined solely by his scoring output. Instead, his willingness to embrace difficult defensive assignments and contribute in areas that do not always appear prominently in the box score helped distinguish him from other players.
Those same qualities continue to provide a foundation for his professional career.
In today’s NBA, teams increasingly value players who can defend multiple positions, contest shots, disrupt passing lanes and remain effective without dominating the basketball. Black’s skill set gives him an opportunity to fill that type of role.
His preseason shooting numbers also provide an encouraging sign. If he can continue converting open perimeter opportunities while maintaining his defensive effectiveness, he could become a more attractive option for Sacramento as the season progresses.
Consistency will be essential, but his recent performances suggest that he is making progress.
NBA EXPERIENCE GIVES BLACK AN IMPORTANT ADVANTAGE
Black is not entering the Kings organization without professional experience.
He has previously appeared in NBA games for both the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards, recording 41 appearances across two seasons.
During that stretch, he averaged 4.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.
While those numbers do not establish him as a proven NBA rotation player, his previous experience gives him a better understanding of the league’s physical demands, preparation requirements and competitive environment.
That familiarity could prove valuable as he attempts to turn his latest opportunity into a longer-term role.
His experience also means he understands that earning a contract is only one part of the challenge. Maintaining his place within an organization requires continued development, reliable performances and the ability to make the most of limited opportunities.
WHAT THE TWO-WAY CONTRACT MEANS FOR HIS FUTURE
Black’s new agreement provides a pathway to continue developing within Sacramento’s system while remaining available to contribute at the NBA level.
Two-way contracts allow eligible players to move between an NBA team and its G League affiliate, giving franchises an opportunity to evaluate developing talent while providing players with valuable competitive experience.
For Black, the arrangement offers a chance to build on his preseason performances, improve his consistency and work toward earning additional NBA opportunities.
However, a two-way contract does not guarantee regular playing time with the Kings. He will still need to prove himself through his performances in practices, G League games and any opportunities he receives with Sacramento.
That challenge is familiar territory for the former North Carolina standout.
Throughout his professional career, Black has had to compete for opportunities and demonstrate that his defensive contributions and overall versatility can translate into value at the highest level.
His latest contract suggests that Sacramento believes he deserves another opportunity to make that case.
For now, Black can take satisfaction in turning a training camp invitation into a concrete opportunity to continue his NBA career.
The next challenge will be converting that opportunity into sustained progress.
With his defensive reputation, previous NBA experience and encouraging preseason shooting, Black has given himself a promising starting point. If he continues to develop and makes the most of every opportunity, the former Tar Heel could yet earn a more consistent place in Sacramento’s plans.
For Black, the training camp deal was only the beginning. The two-way contract gives him another chance to prove that he belongs in the NBA.
