Leaky Black has never been a player who needs to fill up the stat sheet to make an impact.
During his five seasons at UNC, Black established himself as one of the Tar Heels' most reliable defenders, often assigned to guard the opposing team's best offensive player.
However, when given the chance to showcase his offensive abilities, Black has proven he can contribute there as well.
Friday night was another example of exactly that.
Making his first start of the 2026-27 NBA season, Black delivered an impressive all-around performance for the Sacramento Kings in their 124-109 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night.
The former UNC basketball standout finished with 12 points, three rebounds, five assists, and two steals while playing a team-high 40 minutes.
Leaky Black played well in his first start this season. If he can continue shooting the 3 at this rate he deserves rotational minutes. pic.twitter.com/hHhJ2RL5e1
— Austin (@kings_muse) November 7, 2026
What made his performance even more impressive was how he scored his points.
Black connected on four of his seven three-point attempts, with all seven of his field goal attempts coming from beyond the arc.
Not bad for a player who has primarily made his reputation as a defensive specialist.
Leaky Black is making a strong case for a bigger role in Sacramento
Black's opportunity came after De'Andre Hunter was ruled out with an illness, opening a spot in Sacramento's starting lineup.
Instead of simply filling in, Black made a compelling case for why he deserves more opportunities moving forward.
His performance wasn't just about scoring. Black also facilitated, stayed active defensively, and provided the versatility that made him such a valuable piece during his time in Chapel Hill.
For a player who entered the NBA as an undrafted free agent in 2023, every opportunity to prove himself matters.
Black joined Sacramento on a two-way contract in October, giving him another chance to establish himself in the NBA after previous stops with the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards.
His recent performances suggest that he's taking full advantage of that opportunity.
Just a few days earlier, Black scored 12 points and recorded four steals in Sacramento's victory over the Dallas Mavericks, connecting on four three-pointers. Now, after another strong showing against San Antonio, Black has given the Kings plenty of reasons to keep him in their rotation.
Whether or not his performance earns him additional starts remains to be seen, especially once Sacramento gets healthier.
However, one thing is becoming increasingly clear.
Leaky Black belongs in the NBA, and he's doing everything he can to prove it while the opportunity is right in front of him.
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