Parker is First Flame GATORADE Call-up

January 19, 2005 - NBA G League (G League) News Release

GREENVILLE, S.C., January 19 – The Phoenix Suns have signed Florida Flame guard William "Smush" Parker to a 10-day contract, making him the fifth GATORADE Call-up of the National Basketball Development League season and the fourth in 10 days.

Parker is the 44th overall GATORADE Call-up and the 33rd player to be promoted since the NBDL began play in November 2001. Parker is the first-ever GATORADE Call-up for the Florida Flame, who joined the NBDL this season after a group of Southwest Florida business people purchased the Charleston Lowgators last May.

Parker played in four games (1 start) with the Flame after being signed on January 11. He averaged 30.3 minutes, 17.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.3 steals in his brief D-League tenure. He is expected to be in uniform for the Suns tonight against Memphis.

Following is the list of GATORADE Call-ups this season:

Player NBDL Team NBA Team Date
Smush Parker Florida Flame Phoenix Suns Jan. 19
Brandin Knight Asheville Altitude Houston Rockets Jan. 16
Obinna Ekezie Columbus Riverdragons Atlanta Hawks Jan. 10
James Thomas Roanoke Dazzle Portland Trail Blazers Jan. 9
Kirk Penney Asheville Altitude Los Angeles Clippers Dec. 26

The NBDL, the NBA's minor league, includes the Fayetteville Patriots (N.C.), Florida Flame (Ft. Myers), Huntsville Flight (Ala.), Roanoke Dazzle (Va.), Columbus Riverdragons (Ga.) and Asheville Altitude (N.C.).

The league offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA's umbrella. In addition to 32 players, nine former NBDL coaches, five athletic trainers, 11 referees and 29 front office executives have also been called up to the NBA umbrella since the start of the league's inaugural season.

Gatorade Thirst Quencher is a proud partner of both the NBA and the NBDL. Gatorade is scientifically formulated and athletically proven to quench thirst, replace fluids and electrolytes and provide carbohydrate energy to enhance athletic performance. Backed by 35 years of research, Gatorade is the nation's leading sports drink. For more information, visit www.gatorade.com. Gatorade, it's in the NBDL and the NBA, Is it in You?

NBA G League Stories from January 19, 2005

• Florida's Smush Parker Earns NBA Call-up With Phoenix Suns - Florida Flame
• Parker is First Flame GATORADE Call-up - G League
• NBDL daily developments - G League

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