The night of March 10 may be the night that helps skyrocket Sacramento Kings rookie guard Tyreke Evans to the Rookie of the Year (ROY) award for this season, but it will not be determined just by “’Reke’s” abilities and skills on the court. The support and excitement of all Sacramentans and Kings fans for Evans could have a large part in helping the former Memphis Tiger possibly win the award.

With a banner that read, “RALLY FOR ’REKE, ROOKIE OF THE YEAR” behind him and local leaders, regional leaders, Slamson and Kings dancers alongside him, Mayor Kevin Johnson announced at a press conference Tuesday morning that March 10 would be ‘Rally for RekeROY Night’ at Arco Arena. The Kings will take on the Toronto Raptors at 7 p.m. that night, and Johnson urged Sacramentans to come out and show their support for Evans.

“We’re asking everyone locally to come out and support the Kings organization on March 10. We’re going to do a big rally out there against the Raptors really showing our support and our energy for who we think the rookie of the year will be,” Johnson said.

Evans has been a constant when it has come to ROY talks throughout the season. He received Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards for October/November and December. Moreover, he was named the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge MVP during all-star weekend.

Golden State Warriors rookie Stephen Curry and Milwaukee Bucks rookie Brandon Jennings have also made noise for ROY. Jennings leads all rookies with three Rookie of the Month awards and Curry has one under his belt.

“Now the Golden State Warriors down there, they got a rookie who’s not too bad, and Milwaukee has a rookie that’s OK, but we think we have a premier rookie here in Sacramento,” the mayor said.

The first 10,000 fans, who attend ‘RekeROY Night,’ will receive ‘Rally for RekeROY’ T-shirts.

“When the writers and voters look at what’s happened in Sacramento, if they can see that we’re excited and the elected officials are coming together and that we pack a house on March 10 in support of Tyreke Evans, all that has some sort of influence on the people who are going to vote,” Johnson said.

Photo credit: Justin McCall