The Sydney Kings have acted decisively and promptly in replacing import Taj McCullough with the signing of 6’9″ forward Trey Gilder.
Gilder, formerly of the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks NBA Summer League teams, was selected to the 2010 NBA D-League All-Star Game. He appears to be long and highly athletic and will provide the assistance in the paint that star big man Julian Khazzouh has been lacking.
The 25-year old is clearly still a young, developing product, which fits in line with most of the team and fellow import Patrick Sanders, who has impressed in his first week with the Kings. He looks like he’ll be an excitement package — just what the fans want to see. [click through for video]
Here are some video highlights of Gilder in action with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League:
And here is an interview with Gilder, to give you a feel for his character:
In addition, here are two dunks by Gilder during the NBA D-League All-Star Dunk Contest:
Here is what Gilder had to say after playing in the D-League All-Star Game:
Here is the press release from the Kings regarding the signing:
The Sydney Kings have acted quickly to replace import Taj McCullough by signing former NBA player and free-agent, Trey Gilder.
Head Coach, Ian ‘Moose’ Robilliard, announced the signing of the Texas-born Forward to the Sydney Kings roster today; adding that Gilder will arrive on Wednesday December 8, 2010.
“We are confident that Trey Gilder will fill the gap in our roster. He is a fit, aggressive player who is ready to play and who will suit up against the Wollongong Hawks at the Kingdome on Sunday,” Robilliard said.
“He is 206 cm (6’9″), 106 kilograms, which meets our needs for a player combining size, speed, athleticism, skill, defensive intensity and versatility,” he added.
A former NBDL All Star and current NBA player, the 25 year old was most recently a starter for the Atlanta Hawks for every single NBA Summer league game. Beforehand, he was part of the Memphis Grizzlies’ undefeated 2009 Vegas Summer League roster, posting 5.4 points and 2.8 rebounds on 63.2 percent shooting in 12.8 minutes in just five games.
Although Gilder was not selected in the 2008 NBA Draft, he was named as part of the 2007-08 All-Southland Conference First Team, after leading the Northwestern State University Demons in points (16.4) and rebounds (6.2). He finished ninth in his college history in points for a single season, posting 542 points.
Other statistics for Gilder include being selected as a key reserve for the 2009 NBA D-League Champion Colorado 14ers. As a rookie, he averaged 13.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in 23.9 minutes in 50 games (11 starts), as the team posted the D-League’s best regular season record (34-16) and captured the franchise’s first D-League title. Gilder, who was originally selected by the 14ers in the second round (31st overall) of the 2008 NBA D-League Draft, averaged 10.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game in all four of the team’s postseason contests.
“We promised action and we have delivered. We have secure the services of a quality player, who will join our other import Patrick Sanders and the rest of the Sydney kings roster to get our 2010 – 2011 campaign back on track,” Robilliard said.
“If the NBL competition is made up of thee parts, we have used the first part of the 2010-2011 season in making adjustments to the roster, establishing our culture, and building trust and commitment within the team. Gilder and Sanders bring more depth and experience to the Sydney Kings, this pairing of imports will be extremely exciting to watch.
“Our current priority is to build a team based on team values, this includes the obvious need to put points on the board, win enough games to get the Sydney Kings up the NBL Ladder, and back into contention as the team that is hard to beat.”
