Big Red Louie
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5 Louisville basketball stars who deserved more time in the NBA

By Jacob Lane

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Russ Smith #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies and teammate Jeff Green #32 walk off the court after losing to the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on March 12, 2015 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Russ Smith #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies and teammate Jeff Green #32 walk off the court after losing to the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on March 12, 2015 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BIRMINGHAM, AL – MARCH 21: Rhet Wierzba #32 of Austin Peay and Reece Gaines #22 of Louisville battle for a loose ball during the second half of the game between Louisville and Austin Peay in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 21, 2003 at the Birmingham Civic Center in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, AL – MARCH 21: Rhet Wierzba #32 of Austin Peay and Reece Gaines #22 of Louisville battle for a loose ball during the second half of the game between Louisville and Austin Peay in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 21, 2003 at the Birmingham Civic Center in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

3. Reece Gaines

NBA Career: 2003-2006, 71 games played, 1.7 ppg, 0,7 apg

Teams: Orlando, Milwaukee, Houston

As I wrote before, my first memories of Louisville basketball were centered around Reece Gaines, a player that to this day I don’t understand how he didn’t last longer in the NBA.

Gaines is easily one of the best players in program history due to his lights out shooting and ability to flip games with his scoring from outside. Ranking him as the 9th best player in program history, Big Red Louie’s Alan Thomas wrote:

"Reece was by and large the most clutch Louisville shooter of all-time. Once vs Marquette, he drained an unflinching, deep, straightaway three-pointer to give us the lead in the final seconds. How about being down 6 to Tennessee with about 30 seconds remaining in regulation? Well, we all remember that finish. He gave Cardinal fans several nostalgic moments to stuff in our time capsules."

Hell, even Dwayne Wade said Gaines was the most difficult player he ever went head-to-head with during his time at Marquette.

Gaines’ brilliant four-year career left him ranked fourth all-time in scoring, third in three-point shooting, sixth in assists, and ninth in steals, and his average of 21 ppg in 2001-02 has yet to be eclipsed since his departure. He was drafted 15th overall in 2003 by the Orlando Magic and looked to be a big part of the organization’s push to compete with Tracy McGrady as its star for years to come.

That never happened as Gaines appeared in just 38 games with the Magic where he averaged1.8 points, 1.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists before being traded, along with McGrady, to the Houston Rockets where things would continue to be the same. Gaines never really moved into any sort of role of prominence as he dealt with a myriad of injuries and struggles when on the floor. He would average 2.6 points per game, scoring in double digits on just two occasions.

Gaines would be moved again to Milwaukee where he’d play 23 games over two seasons before being waived and unofficially ending his NBA career. The player we saw in the NBA was not the same guy who was at Louisville; blame it on injuries or blame it on the fact that he played behind multiple all-star guards, regardless he was a bust averaging just 1.7 points over his career.

The NBA game has changed significantly since Gaines last played, but regardless you’d think a player who was an elite shooter would’ve been able to make it, especially with the size that he possessed at 6’6. Defensive struggles can cause even the best shooters to struggle and not get the opportunity to show what they can do, which is exactly why so many worry about Jordan Nwora’s long-term future.

Gaines was still one hell of a player who I think could’ve thrived with another opportunity and good health.

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