Sundiata Kofi Gaines (born April 18, 1986) is an American professional basketball player who is a free agent. He played college basketball at the University of Georgia.

Sundiata Gaines
Gaines with the Washington Wizards during the 2013 NBA Summer League
Free agent
PositionPoint guard
Personal information
Born (1986-04-18) April 18, 1986 (age 38)
Queens, New York
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High schoolArchbishop Molloy
(Queens, New York)
CollegeGeorgia (2004–2008)
NBA draft2008: undrafted
Playing career2008–2017; 2021–present
Career history
2008–2009NGC Cantù
2009–2010Idaho Stampede
2010Utah Jazz
2010–2011Minnesota Timberwolves
2011Toronto Raptors
20112012New Jersey Nets
2011Armia
2012–2013Fujian Sturgeons
2013–2014Beşiktaş
2014Reno Bighorns
2014Guaiqueríes de Margarita
2014–2015Sidigas Avellino
2015Reno Bighorns
2016Ironi Nes Ziona
2016–2017Salt Lake City Stars
2021Peñarol
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

High school career

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Gaines attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens, New York. As a senior, he averaged 28.2 points per game, finishing his career as the number 3 scorer in Stanners' history.[1]

College career

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In his freshman season at Georgia, Gaines had a very productive year as he led the team in minutes, assists, steals, free throw attempts and makes, as well as ranking second in rebounding. In 27 games, he averaged 12.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.4 steals per game.[1][2]

In his sophomore season, he ranked third among all SEC players in steals at 2.0 per game. In 30 games, he averaged 10.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. He was named the team's MVP by the coaching staff at the season's end.[1][2]

In his junior season, he led Georgia in minutes, starts, rebounds, assists and steals. He was also named to the 2007 All-SEC second team. In 32 games, he averaged 10.5 points, 5.7 rebounds 4.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game.[1][2]

In his senior season, he was named to the 2008 All-SEC second team and All-Defensive team. In 34 games, he averaged 14.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game.[2]

Professional career

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NGC Cantù (2008–2009)

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Gaines went undrafted in the 2008 NBA draft. In July 2008, he signed with NGC Cantù of Italy for the 2008–09 season.[3]

Idaho Stampede (2009–2010)

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On November 5, 2009, Gaines was selected with the 15th overall pick by the Idaho Stampede in the 2009 NBA D-League draft.[4]

Utah Jazz (2010)

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On January 5, 2010, Gaines signed a 10-day contract with the Utah Jazz. On January 14, 2010, in just his fifth NBA game, he hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Jazz a dramatic 97–96 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was the first 3-pointer of his NBA career.[5][6]

On January 15, 2010, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Jazz. On January 25, 2010, he signed with the Jazz for the rest of the season.[7]

Gaines joined the Utah Jazz for the 2010 NBA Summer League. On October 22, 2010, he was waived by the Jazz.[8]

Minnesota Timberwolves (2010–2011)

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On November 12, 2010, Gaines signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves.[9] On January 4, 2011, he was waived by the Timberwolves.[10]

Toronto Raptors (2011)

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On January 13, 2011, Gaines signed a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors.[11] On January 24, 2011, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Raptors.[12] On January 26, 2011, he was waived by the Raptors.[13]

New Jersey Nets (2011)

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On February 28, 2011, Gaines signed a 10-day contract with the New Jersey Nets.[14] On March 10, 2011, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Nets.[15] On March 20, 2011, he signed a multi-year deal with the Nets.[16] On March 23, 2011, Gaines suffered a season-ending right hip injury.[17]

Armia (2011)

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On September 9, 2011, Gaines signed with BC Armia of Georgia for the duration of the NBA lockout.[18]

Return to New Jersey (2011–2012)

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In December 2011, Gaines re-joined the New Jersey Nets after the lockout ended.

Fuijan Xunxing (2012–2013)

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On September 6, 2012, Gaines signed with the Indiana Pacers.[19] However, he was later waived by the Pacers on October 22, 2012.[20]

On November 13, 2012, he signed with the Fujian Xunxing of the Chinese Basketball Association for the 2012–13 season.[21]

Beşiktaş (2013–2014)

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Gaines joined the Washington Wizards for the 2013 NBA Summer League.

On November 22, 2013, he signed a two-month deal with Beşiktaş of Turkey.[22] On January 15, 2014, he played his final game for Beşiktaş, recording 4 points, 7 assists and 2 steals in 15 minutes of play.

Reno Bighorns (2014)

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On January 29, 2014, he was acquired by the Austin Toros. On January 31, 2014, he was traded to the Springfield Armor.[23][24] On February 4, 2014, he was traded to the Reno Bighorns.[25]

Guaiqueríes de Margarita (2014)

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On April 22, 2014, Gaines signed with Guaiqueríes de Margarita of Venezuela for the rest of the 2014 LPB season.[26]

Sidigas Avellino (2014–2015)

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On August 28, 2014, Gaines signed with Sidigas Avellino of Italy for the 2014–15 season.[27] In 29 games for Sidigas, he averaged 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

Return to the Bighorns (2015)

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In July 2015, Gaines joined the Detroit Pistons for the 2015 NBA Summer League.[28] On November 2, 2015, he was acquired by the Reno Bighorns, returning to the franchise for a second stint.[29] On December 8, he was waived by the Bighorns after appearing in just four games.[30]

Ironi Nes Ziona (2016)

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On January 2, 2016, Gaines was acquired by Openjobmetis Varese of the Italian League.[31] However, before playing a game for them, he left the Italian club on January 13 to sign with Ironi Nes Ziona of the Israeli Premier League for the rest of the season.[32]

Salt Lake City Stars (2016–2017)

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On November 12, 2016, Gaines signed with the Salt Lake City Stars of the NBA Development League.[33]

In 2017, Gaines competed for The Washington Generals in The Basketball Tournament. Gaines was the leading scorer for the team with 22 points in the one game they played before being eliminated by The Matadors.[34]

On February 19, 2018, Gaines was reported to have signed with Defensor Sporting of the Liga Uruguaya de Basketball.[35] However, he never played a game for the team.

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2009–10 Utah 32 0 6.8 .463 .269 .500 .9 1.2 .4 .0 3.3
2010–11 Minnesota 8 0 8.1 .318 .333 .500 .8 .8 .4 .0 2.6
2010–11 Toronto 6 0 15.0 .429 .200 .333 1.3 1.8 .7 .2 5.8
2010–11 New Jersey 10 0 14.6 .417 .235 .550 2.4 2.5 .9 .0 5.5
2011–12 New Jersey 57 12 13.9 .376 .341 .615 1.9 2.2 1.0 .0 5.1
Career 113 12 11.6 .397 .301 .562 1.5 1.8 .7 .0 4.5

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010 Utah 5 0 1.4 .833 1.000 .000 .4 .0 .0 .0 2.2

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Sundiata Gaines Bio". nmnathletics.com. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d "Sundiata Gaines Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  3. ^ Sundiata Gaines to Play in Italian League
  4. ^ Idaho Stampede make good in 2009 NBDL Draft Archived February 26, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Gaines' 3-pointer at buzzer sinks Cavs' late comeback attempt
  6. ^ Gaines game-winning shot to beat the Cavs on YouTube
  7. ^ Jazz Sign Gaines For Remainder Of Season
  8. ^ "Jazz waive Sundiata Gaines, Othyus Jeffers, Demetris Nichols and Ryan Thompson". InsideHoops.com. October 22, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  9. ^ "Wolves Sign Sundiata Gaines". NBA.com. November 12, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  10. ^ "Timberwolves waive Sundiata Gaines". InsideHoops.com. January 4, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2011.
  11. ^ "Raptors Sign Gaines To 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 13, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  12. ^ "Raptors Sign Gaines To A Second 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. January 24, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
  13. ^ "Raptors sign Trey Johnson and waive Sundiata Gaines". Sportando.net. January 26, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  14. ^ "NETS Sign Sundiata Gaines to a 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. February 28, 2011. Retrieved February 28, 2011.
  15. ^ "NETS Sign Sundiata Gaines to a Second 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. March 10, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  16. ^ "NETS Sign Sundiata Gaines to Multi-Year Contract". NBA.com. March 20, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  17. ^ Sundiata Gaines Out For Season With Fractured Hip
  18. ^ Sundiata Gaines signed in Georgia with BC Armia
  19. ^ Pacers Sign Three Free Agents
  20. ^ Pacers Exercise Option on George; Release Three Players
  21. ^ Sundiata Gaines signs in China with Fujian
  22. ^ "Besiktas sign Sundiata Gaines to a two-month deal". Sportando.com. November 22, 2013. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  23. ^ Springfield Armor acquire Sundiata Gaines in trade with Austin Toros
  24. ^ Armor Acquire Sundiata Gaines Via Trade with Austin
  25. ^ Source: Reno Bighorns Trade For Sundiata Gaines
  26. ^ "Gaiqueries de Margarita sign Sundiata Gaines, close to Antoine Wright". Sportando.com. April 22, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  27. ^ Avellino lands Marc Trasolini and Sundiata Gaines
  28. ^ Is Former Georgia Basketball Star Sundiata Gaines out of NBA Chances?
  29. ^ "Bighorns Announce 2015-16 Training Camp Roster". OurSportsCentral.com. November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  30. ^ "NBA D-League Transactions". NBA.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  31. ^ "Openjobmetis VA tabs Sundiata Gaines". Eurobasket.com. January 2, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  32. ^ "Sundiata Gaines signs with Ironi Ness Ziona". Sportando.com. January 13, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  33. ^ Byrnes, Hayley (November 21, 2016). "Salt Lake City Stars Acquire Sundiata Gaines". dleague.nba.com. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  34. ^ "Sundiata Gaines | The Basketball Tournament". thetournament.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2018.
  35. ^ "Sundiata Gaines signs in Uruguay with DSC Basket". Sportando.basketball. February 19, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
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