Kings Players Host Charity Game at UC Davis (PHOTOS)

Professional basketball came back to Northern California Sunday, sort of, and only for one night.

Current and former Sacramento Kings players gathered for the Goon Squad Classic, an exhibition organized by Kings player Donte Greene at UC Davis to benefit his Circle of Success Foundation. About 4,000 people attended the event, according to media reports, or half of The Pavilion's capacity.

NBA players have held games like Sunday's around the country as the NBA lockout continues, with no end in sight.

"We want to bring basketball back to Sacramento," Greene told the crowd before the game. "We know many of you are frustrated with players and owners... but we want to get this resolved for the best fans in the NBA."

Greene's team, wearing black uniforms, included Jason Thompson, Kings rookie sensation Jimmer Fredette and former King Spencer Hawes, now with the Philadelphia 76ers. Their opponents, wearing purple uniforms, included Kings stars Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins, Hassan Whiteside, rookie Isaiah Thomas and Los Angeles Lakers player Matt Barnes, a former King who attended in Fair Oaks.

Washington Wizards star John Wall was in attendance but disappointingly did not play in the game. A media report said Wall was "under the weather."

In case you were wondering, the Black team beat the Purple Team 167-164 in overtime.

Fans implored Fredette to shoot every time he got the ball and oohed and ahhed every time there was an impressive alley-oop and slam dunk.

And if you don't like that, you don't like Sacramento Kings (lockout) basketball.

Victor Calderon is the Editor of Carmichael Patch.