Last year's D-League rookie of the year, Alonzo Gee, signs with the Cavaliers as the team strives to add athleticism and energy.
The Cavaliers' Antawn Jamison (left) and J.J. Hickson try to deny Orlando's Dwight Howard a path to this loose ball during the second quarter of Tuesday night's game.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As a fellow Alabama product, point guard Mo Williams has a pretty good idea of what the Cavaliers' newest member, Alonzo Gee, is capable of.
"I know if I throw it up he can go get it," Williams said Tuesday, "I know that."
That kind of athleticism is precisely what the Cavaliers were looking for in filling the roster spot created when Cleveland native Jawad Williams was waived Monday. On Tuesday, the Cavaliers signed the 6-foot-6 Gee to an nonguaranteed contract in hopes that the 23-year-old swingman can inject energy into the lineup.
Coach Byron Scott said he hopes Gee can learn his system quickly and be ready to play as early as Saturday in Chicago.
Gee was last year's NBA Development League Rookie of the Year when he averaged 21 points on 51 percent shooting in 36 games for the Austin Toros. Before his arrival in Cleveland, Gee had been playing for the Washington Wizards, where he played 11 games until his release Dec. 18. He also played five games with San Antonio.
Gee also was with both teams last season, playing 11 games with the Wizards and not seeing any floor action when with the Spurs at the end of the season. Still, he impressed San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich, who passed along a recommendation to Scott.
"I got a pretty good idea from Pop that he really loved him as a person and thought he worked extremely hard," Scott said. "[He's] very active, very athletic. Plays with a lot of determination, a lot of grit. I want to see it."
The move isn't a final roster alteration, Scott stressed, as the team continues to hold a $14.5-million trade exception from the LeBron James sign-and-trade.
"I don't necessarily think we're done," Scott said. "This is just a small thing to bring in a guy and get a good look at him. That's the great thing about what [General Manager Chris Grant] has done, we've got great flexibility to get some looks at some of these younger guys. I know he's on the phone and teams are still calling, so we'll see what happens and see where that goes."
But for now, Gee looks like he might be a good fit.
"As far as what we want to do with getting up and down the floor, he fits perfect," Scott said.
D-league update: Cavaliers rookie Christian Eyenga was at The Q to watch Sunday's game against Minnesota, but isn't expected to formally be with the team anytime soon.
Eyenga was sent to the NBA D-League's Erie BayHawks on Nov. 18, and the Cavaliers have heard good reports on the swingman's development. In 12 games with Erie, Eyenga is averaging 11.2 points, hitting 53 percent of his attempts.
Scott said he's most eager for Eyenga to learn the Cavaliers' defensive strategies. "All the reports I'm getting are that every day he looks more like an NBA player," he said.
Samardo Samuels played in his first game with Erie on Monday, the same day he was assigned to the squad, and scored 12 points.