Kings forward Jabari Parker has coronavirus; Buddy Hield, Alex Len infected as well

One member of the Kings announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus Wednesday and two others were reported to be infected as well.

Kings forward Jabari Parker released a statement announcing he tested positive last week. A short time later, Sam Amick and Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Kings guard Buddy Hield had also tested positive for the virus. Kings center Alex Len later revealed he had tested positive as well.

In a statement issued by the team, Parker said he is recovering in Chicago but plans to rejoin the team in Florida in the coming weeks as the NBA prepares to resume the ill-fated 2019-20 season at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

“Several days ago I tested positive for COVID-19 and immediately self-isolated in Chicago which is where I remain,” Parker said. “I am progressing in my recovery and feeling well. I look forward to joining my teammates in Orlando as we return to the court for the resumption of the NBA season.”

Hield, 27, participated in a Skinz League pro-am game in Oklahoma two weeks ago. Lee Benson of News 9 in Oklahoma reported Hield made 13 3-pointers and finished with 45 points. The game was played in a crowded gymnasium where few people appeared to be wearing masks or practicing social distancing. Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, another former University of Oklahoma star, also participated in the Skinz League.

Hield, the reigning NBA 3-Point Contest champion, was a big part of Sacramento’s turnaround after coach Luke Walton moved him into a backup role, placing Bogdan Bogdanovic in the starting lineup instead. In February, Hield averaged 18.4 points while shooting 46.3 percent from 3-point range. The Kings went 13-7 after Walton made the lineup change.

Parker, 25, came to Sacramento in the trade that sent Dewayne Dedmon back to Atlanta in February. He appeared in only one game for the Kings, posting four points, four rebounds and two assists in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 20.

Parker has averaged 15.0 points and 5.8 rebounds over his first six NBA seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, Hawks and Kings.

Len, 27, also came to the Kings in the trade with Atlanta. He made a tremendous impact on defense and became a key rotation piece as the Kings charged back into playoff contention. Len has appeared in nine games for the Kings, averaging 6.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots in 16.7 minutes per contest.

Len disclosed his positive diagnosis in a story post on Instagram.

“I underwent testing yesterday in Sacramento and was found to be positive for COVID-19,” Len said. “I want to thank the Sacramento Kings for their great care and the NBA for putting the protocols in place to allow me to catch this early. I have immediately entered isolation and look forward to being cleared and rejoining my teammates for our playoff push.”

Coronavirus testing has begun at NBA facilities across the country this week and several players have already tested positive. The list includes Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon, two unidentified members of the Phoenix Suns and four members of an unspecified Western Conference playoff team, according to various reports.

NBA teams will continue to undergo extensive testing over the next two weeks as they prepare to converge on Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, about 20 miles outside of Orlando. Players who test positive will be quarantined and must produce two negative test results in a span of more than 24 hours before they will be cleared to return.

The NBA addressed the possibility of positive test results in a 113-page “Health and Safety Protocols” manual distributed to teams last week, stating: “The occurrence of a small or otherwise expected number of COVID-19 cases will not require a decision to suspend or cancel the resumption of the 2019-20 season.”