Photo by: Lucas Carter
Former IPFW Standout Gaines Named D-League Most Improved Player
4/23/2014 11:29:00 AM | Men's Basketball
NEW YORK - Former IPFW standout and Maine Red Claw guard Frank Gaines has been named the 2014 NBA Developmental League Most Improved Player,as voted on by the 17 NBA D-League head coaches. The award, which was instituted prior to the 2009-10 season, honors the player who demonstrated the most significant improvement through the course of the season.
Gaines finished his rookie campaign in the NBA D-League having played in 48 of the team's 50 regular season games, averaging a team-high 22.4 points, good for fourth-best int he D-League. He added 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 35.4 minutes per game.
A 34-game starter, Gaines began his professional career averaging 19.2 points in November, December and January, before finishing the season averaging 25.4 points in February, March and April.
Gaines ended his IPFW career with a school-record 1,841 points, including back-to-back years of 635 and 632 points. He shot 44.1 percent from the field over his career, and was 500-of-672 (74.4%) from the charity stripe while pulling down 561 rebounds and dishing out 114 assists.
"As a rookie with the Red Claws this season, Frank seized the opportunity to develop all aspects of his game," said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations for the NBA D-League. "I'm thrilled that the league's coaches took note of his marked improvement during the season, and I congratulate Frank on an impressive inaugural campaign."
Gaines becomes the fifth player, and second member of the Red Claws, to earn Most Improved Player honors, joining Cameron Jones (Santa Cruz, 2012-13), Kenny Hayes (Maine, 2011-12), Dar Tucker (New Mexico, 2010-11), and Mildon Ambres (Idaho, 2009-10) as NBA D-League players to have received the award.
~ Feel the Rumble ~
Gaines finished his rookie campaign in the NBA D-League having played in 48 of the team's 50 regular season games, averaging a team-high 22.4 points, good for fourth-best int he D-League. He added 3.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 35.4 minutes per game.
A 34-game starter, Gaines began his professional career averaging 19.2 points in November, December and January, before finishing the season averaging 25.4 points in February, March and April.
Gaines ended his IPFW career with a school-record 1,841 points, including back-to-back years of 635 and 632 points. He shot 44.1 percent from the field over his career, and was 500-of-672 (74.4%) from the charity stripe while pulling down 561 rebounds and dishing out 114 assists.
"As a rookie with the Red Claws this season, Frank seized the opportunity to develop all aspects of his game," said Chris Alpert, Vice President of Basketball Operations for the NBA D-League. "I'm thrilled that the league's coaches took note of his marked improvement during the season, and I congratulate Frank on an impressive inaugural campaign."
Gaines becomes the fifth player, and second member of the Red Claws, to earn Most Improved Player honors, joining Cameron Jones (Santa Cruz, 2012-13), Kenny Hayes (Maine, 2011-12), Dar Tucker (New Mexico, 2010-11), and Mildon Ambres (Idaho, 2009-10) as NBA D-League players to have received the award.
~ Feel the Rumble ~
Wednesday, June 10
Thursday, February 26
Sunday, February 15
Saturday, January 31
