Rodney Hood backs out of Saturday Workout, Replaced by JaKarr Sampson

The Kings sent out a press release today to update the status of Saturday's pre-draft workout.  Rodney Hood is now no longer coming to Sacramento and is instead being replaced by St. John's JaKarr Sampson.

No reason has been given for Hood's withdrawal, but according to Cowbell Kingdom, the Kings would like to reschedule Hood's visit sometime before draft day.  Hood also backed out of a later workout on Saturday in Minnesota (jeez, he was going to do Sacramento and Minnesota in one day?) that is being rescheduled for Monday.

Hood was the big name of Saturday's workout, as the smooth shooting Small Forward from Duke has been projected anywhere from the lottery to the middle of the first round.  Hood averaged 16.1 points on 46.4% from the field and 42.0% from three for Duke last season.  DraftExpress currently has him going 13th to Minnesota.

Sampson meanwhile is not nearly as talented of a shooter but brings a lot of potential on the defensive end thanks to his big, long frame and active hands.  He's also one of the better rebounding Small Forwards in the draft.

(Tip of the Top Hat to Babygiraffe for the FanShot)