Utah Jazz: Sundiata Gaines, Othyus Jeffers stand apart from D-League counterparts

Editor's note: This is the second of a three-part series exploring the NBADL experience.

SALT LAKE CITY — When he first learned the Utah Jazz wanted to sign him to a 10-day contract, Othyus Jeffers was a little blindsided by the news.

It's not that he did not expect to play in the NBA. Every time he took a shot, set a screen or grabbed a rebound while playing for the Iowa Energy, Jeffers believed he was pushing himself one step closer to fulfilling his goal of making it onto an NBA roster.

He just didn't expect that dream to materialize into reality so quickly.

"I was pretty much on cloud nine to play," Jeffers said. "A lot of my teammates got called up. So when my time came, it was only a matter of time. I just didn't expect it to be then."

At the time he initially signed with Utah, Jeffers was the 18th player from the NBA Development League to be called up by an NBA team for the 2009-10 season. One of those call-ups included current Jazz teammate Sundiata Gaines.

What sets players like Gaines and Jeffers apart from their former D-League counterparts? Simply put, their ability and willingness to defend.

"Everybody that is going to the NBA — they're not going to call you up to be a superstar on the team," Gaines said. "Defense separates a lot of guys because a lot of players can't play defense on this level."

Gaines came to the Jazz to fill the team's need for a third point guard after first-round draft pick Eric Maynor was traded earlier in the season — along with Matt Harpring — in a move designed to offer salary cap relief.

Before joining Utah, Gaines distinguished himself as a skilled playmaker in the NBADL. He averaged 23.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 14 games with the Idaho Stampede, prior to signing his first 10-day contract with the Jazz.

Gaines put himself on the map when he made a last-second, game-winning shot against Cleveland. He stayed on the map by doing the things Jazz coach Jerry Sloan expects out of a player at his position.

"He has a terrific body for a point guard," Sloan said. "He's strong and he can defend. He has to have the ability to defend and be consistent with that. I can't say a guy is always going to be consistent making shots. But defensively, you should be consistent if you take care of yourself and are ready to go."