Frank Gaines is like everyone else playing in the NBA D-League, trying to prove his worth on the court.

For Gaines, it is nothing new. Out of high school, he was not recruited by Division I schools and only made it through connections. Out of college, Gaines got a workout with the Atlanta Hawks this past summer, but he was not drafted, nor invited to a preseason camp.

So here he is in the D-League, the second-round draft pick of the Maine Red Claws, who play Friday night at 7 in the Portland Expo.

Gaines, a 6-foot-3 guard, does not start. But when he comes off the bench, he sizzles. Gaines is second on the team in scoring (17-point average) behind Chris Wright (24).

“Frank has been a pleasant surprise,” Coach Mike Taylor said. “We gave him a role that he could develop in. But he’s been far advanced of our expectations.”

Gaines can slash to the basket or hit the three (13-for-25). While some players prefer to start so they can get in a rhythm, Gaines looks ready to go when he enters.

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“I didn’t want to think that I have to score when I get in. I just want to go in and play the game,” Gaines said.

The scoring “just comes.”

The scoring has always been there.

Gaines was a standout player at Boyd Anderson High School in Fort Lauderdale, helping the team be a state contender. But no Division I colleges or universities showed interest. Gaines had to recruit a school.

“A family friend called a guy at Drake,” Gaines said. “They signed all their guys, but he knew a team that needed a wing – IPFW.”

IPFW: Indiana University/Purdue University at Fort Wayne.

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“I never heard of it,” Gaines said.

The school is the result of two universities merging their regional campuses in Fort Wayne, Ind. And the Mastodons were born – a team which plays Division I.

Gaines worked out, setting the school record for career points (1,841). He was among the top NCAA Division I scorers his last two years at school, with a 20.4-point average.

With NBA teams showing little interest, Gaines signed up for eligibility in the D-League draft and the Red Claws got him in the second round.

With guard Jermaine Taylor out for the season with a knee injury, Gaines’ productions becomes even more important.

“He’s one of the big reasons we’ve been able to be consistent,” Mike Taylor said.

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THE NEW 7-FOOTER on the Maine Red Claws is Zeke Marshall, obtained Tuesday in a three-team trade.

Marshall, a rookie out of the University of Akron, was playing in the Taiwan Super Basketball League before he recently signed an NBA D-League contract.

The Reno Bighorns obtained the rights to Marshall and the Red Claws dealt for him.

In the trade, Maine sent its first-round pick in next year’s draft to the Santa Cruz Warriors. Santa Cruz sent a second-round draft pick in 2014 to Maine, and post player Mickell Gladness to Reno.

Marshall is Maine’s second 7-foot center, along with Ty Walker.

To make room for Marshall on Maine’s roster, the Red Claws are expected to de-activate forward Romero Osby, who has been sitting out of practice with a pulled hamstring.

Kevin Thomas can be reached at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com

Twitter: KevinThomasPPH


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