The latest on Gabe York, limited at the G League Showcase due to illness
York leads the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in scoring and the 29-year-old is eager for his first NBA opportunity.
LAS VEGAS — Gabe York, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants’ leading scorer, is dealing with a non-Covid illness that has kept him off the basketball court this week.
York traveled with the team in Las Vegas from Milwaukee, but has felt weak and unable to eat due to a bug. He did not practice on Monday and did not play in their 134-96 blowout win over the Santa Cruz Warriors on Tuesday.
However, he was on the bench with his teammates in sweats and a hat.
The G League Showcase is being held all week inside the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas and all 30 NBA teams have representatives there, along with other talent evaluators from the U.S. and abroad.
NBA teams are taking detailed notes prior to the start of the new year, as 10-day contracts can first be signed on Jan. 5.
York has been named G League Player of the Week twice already this season.
The Mad Ants practiced on Wednesday afternoon, but York did not appear dressed to participate. He was there, unlike at Monday’s practice.
This is another unfortunate blow for York, a 29-year-old guard out of the University of Arizona. Last season, he was excited for his first NBA call-up, prepared to sign a 10-day contract with the Orlando Magic.
After testing negative for COVID-19 for nine straight days, he boarded a plane bound for Orlando. Then, upon arrival, he tested positive. So no 10-day contract, no NBA opportunity and even worse, he was left alone in a hotel room for nearly 10 days.
York leads the Mad Ants with 24.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. His 2.4 steals per game ranks fifth in the G League; two-way guard Trevelin Queen (2.5) ranks third.
The Mad Ants will play their second and final game at the showcase on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. ET agains the Oklahoma City Blue.