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.
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Smush Parker averaged 17.3 points for Florida.
Victor Baldizon
NBAE/Getty Images
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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 |
| Kirk Penney |
Asheville Altitude |
Los Angeles Clippers |
Dec. 26 |
| James Thomas |
Roanoke Dazzle |
Portland Trail Blazers |
Jan. 9 |
| Obinna Ekezie |
Columbus Riverdragons |
Atlanta Hawks |
Jan. 10 |
| Brandin Knight |
Asheville Altitude |
Houston Rockets |
Jan. 16 |
| Smush Parker |
Florida Flame |
Phoenix Suns |
Jan. 19 |
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?
