Nov. 2, 2005
DETROIT, Mich. -- Former Fairfield University forward Deng Gai made his National Basketball Association (NBA) debut tonight when the Philadelphia 76ers played the Detroit Pistons. Gai was inserted into the lineup with 2:49 remaining in the fourth quarter.
He did not record any statistics in the game, but played the final two-plus minutes of the contest. The 76ers lost the game by a 108-88 margin, the team's second setback in as many games this year.
Gai averaged more than 15 minutes per game during the pre-season, and led NBA rookies in blocked shots per game. Being the top shot blocker is nothing new for Gai, as he posted a Division I best 5.5 rejections per contest last year as a senior.
He is the first Fairfield University player to make an opening day NBA roster, and becomes the first Stag to play in an NBA game since A.J. Wynder took the court for the Boston Celtics.
The Fairfield University men's basketball team opens its 2005-06 season on November 18 when it travels to St. Francis College in Brooklyn. The 76ers return to action on November 4 when they host Charlotte.
