It’s a long shot — and Sundiata Gaines knows it.
However there is a precedent for an undrafted basketball player making it to the NBA. One place is here in Atlanta.
Gaines, a former University of Georgia guard, is back in the United States after playing his first professional season in Italy. He completed a four-day mini-camp with the Hawks on Thursday. It was the Hawks who plucked Mario West, undrafted out of Georgia Tech, from such a camp to a spot on their roster two seasons ago.
“You just have to take it day by day,” said Gaines, who also took part in camps with the New York Knicks and the Dallas Mavericks this summer. “It might not work out for me this year, but I will keep at it and come back next year. It might work out for me this year, and I’ll be happy with it.”
There were 20 other players in Hawks camp this week trying to reach the same dream.
“It’s tough for our team because we have so many guaranteed contracts,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. “We only have two, three spots. It’s a long shot for guys to come in and make our ball club. It’s not unheard of. Mario West is a prime example of that. Here’s a young man that didn’t get drafted that I just loved everything about him in terms of his effort and energy. That’s what won me over. ... Anything is possible, but it is a long shot for a lot of these guys.”
Gaines has the credentials. His four-year career at Georgia was highlighted by the team’s 2008 run in the SEC tournament. The team that won only four SEC games all season, won four in three days to win the title and earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Gaines was the MVP.
He finished his career first in school history in steals (259), second in assists (476), ninth in points (1,469) and 11th in rebounds (674) — all from a 6-foot-1, 180-pound guard.
He carried that success to Italy, where he played for NGC Cantu. In 30 games, he averaged 31.9 minutes, 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals. His game-high was a 25-point performance. He played so well, in fact, that if he returns to Italy for another season, it won’t be with Cantu, which can’t afford him now.
“They already signed another player, but they were sure they weren’t going to be able to give me a contract of what my status was compared to what other teams were offering,” Gaines said.
Gaines says he has several offers from other teams in Italy and in other countries.
“A lot has to do with the situation of where you will fit in with the team,” Gaines said of choosing where to play. “Or it might come down to whatever team is offering me the most money. You can’t go wrong with that either.”
He still hopes to land in the NBA before heading back overseas.
“[Playing in Italy] is a different style of basketball,” Gaines said. “Over there it’s more of a compact game. Guys play close in and everybody can shoot. That’s one thing I really worked on, my jump shot. As far as the competition, it’s the best in the world in the U.S. It’s all a steppingstone to get where I want to get.”
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