Deng Gai (born March 22, 1982) is a South Sudanese former professional basketball player. A power forward, he briefly played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and in several other leagues. Gai was the 2005 NCAA blocks leader.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 22, 1982 Wau, Sudan (now South Sudan) |
| Nationality | South Sudanese |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 250 lb (113 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Milford Academy (Milford, Connecticut) |
| College | Fairfield (2001–2005) |
| NBA draft | 2005: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2005–2011 |
| Position | Power forward |
| Number | 35 |
| Career history | |
| 2005 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2006 | Dodge City Legend |
| 2006–2007 | Wilmington Sea Dawgs |
| 2007 | Albany Patroons |
| 2007–2008 | Śląsk Wrocław |
| 2011 | Palangos Naglis |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Early life
editGai fled from Sudan in 1999 as a refugee due to the civil war.[1] He travelled by train and a crude boat over a three-day trek to Egypt.[1] Gai arrived in the United States and settled in Fairfield, Connecticut.[1]
College basketball
editAfter attending Milford Academy in Connecticut, Gai played college basketball at Fairfield University (also in the state), where he was a three-time MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and took the Stags to the MAAC semifinals in 2005.[2] Gai graduated as number eight on the NCAA's all-time blocked shots list.
As a senior, Gai was named first team All-MAAC, leading the nation in blocks (5.5 bpg) while blocking 10 or more shots in three contests.[3]
Professional basketball
editGai declared for the NBA draft in 2004, but ultimately withdrew his name.[4] He was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2005.[5]
After playing in only two regular-season games for the team, Gai was waived in December 2005. He then briefly played for the USBL's Dodge City Legend and the ABA's Wilmington Sea Dawgs. Subsequently, Gai, who had been drafted in 2005 by the CBA's Albany Patroons (2nd round, 10th overall), played for the team in the USBL, leading it in blocks. At the end of the season, he was named to the league's All-Defensive Team.[6]
In 2007–08, Gai represented Poland's Śląsk Wrocław, but the team folded after that season.
Personal life
editGai has nine siblings.[1] He is a cousin of fellow NBA player Luol Deng.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Tommelleo, Donna. "From Sudan to Fairfield, Gai chasing NBA dream". Sudan Tribune. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ^ Andrea Woo, "Hard Road to Hardwood Glory," Archived 2012-07-29 at archive.today Sports Illustrated, March 14, 2005
- ^ "CSTV.com: #1 in College Sports". Archived from the original on February 10, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
- ^ "Fifty-three early entry candidates withdraw". NBA.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
- ^ Sixers sign free agents Deng Gai and Shavlik Randolph
- ^ USBL reveals 2007 “ALL-USBL” teams Archived 2011-06-06 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gaide01.html Deng Gai NBA Stats | Basketball-Reference.com