Sundiata Gaines has been working his behind off, or “grinding” as all the cool kids are calling it, with the Idaho Stampede. The 6’1″ guard out of Georgia has been leading the Stampede with 23.9ppg, 4.7rpg, 2.3spg and 6.9rpg and finally, like former teammates Anthony Tolliver and Patty Mills, he gets his call-up to the NBA.
Gaines will join the Utah Jazz today with a 10-day contract, pending the outcome of a physical. According to Scott Schroeder of Ridiculous Upside (via twitter), “rumor has it, by the way, that the Jazz are going to be making at least one more D-League call-up by Sunday.”
By the way, if you’re interested in D-League action and finding out about these guys before they make it to the NBA, you should be following the D-League Showcase. This four-day event is designed to show off what the D has got to offer…and plenty it has. For an introduction to it all, check out this piece that Scott wrote for Fanhouse. Also, follow Ridiculous Upside, D-League Digest and Art Garcia, writing for the NBA, for more.
Meanwhile, check out this video of Gaines being told that he was being called up to the Jazz and the excitement on his face.
And this is what Gaines looks like on the court:
