Indiana Pacers sign guard Gabe York to two-way contract

The Indiana Pacers announced on Thursday that they have signed guard Gabe York to a two-way contract.

York, a 29-year old guard who played for the Pacers last season, has spent his entire 2022-23 campaign to date with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. He averaged 22.1 points and 3.9 assists per game with the Pacers G League affiliate team, and he also won G League Player of the Week three times.

"I know I'm good enough to be in the NBA," York said during the G League season.

That statement proved to be correct as the Pacers scooped up the guard on Thursday. He practiced with the team today for the first time of the campaign.

York was signed with the roster spot that was created when Indiana waived guard Trevelin Queen. This is the second straight year that a late-season transaction will allow York to get more NBA experience. He averaged 4.0 points and 2.0 assists per game for the Pacers in 2021-22.

"Gabe is a pure scorer. That's what he does best, put the ball in the basket. He does it better than most people in the NBA," Pacers center Jalen Smith said of York. They overlapped with the blue and gold last season.

York will only be eligible to be active in three of the Pacers final five games due to two-way contract rules, so he won't be available to play every night. Perhaps he could get some of George Hill's minutes in the games where he is active. Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte, and Buddy Hield have been sidelined in recent games.

If York is able to suit up, he will provide effective perimeter play. He is a strong outside shooter and good ball handler, so he can play either guard spot if need be.

"Just go out there and do what I do. My teammates are going to find me in transition," York said Thursday. "The ball will find me eventually. It's just a matter of knocking down shots."

This season will be York's second in the NBA. He has always been on the fringe of the league but had never gotten a chance, until last season, to be on an NBA roster. He has averaged over 15 points per game four times with various G League franchises.

"I'm glad to be here, I'm glad to take this opportunity and run with it," York said of rejoining the Pacers. He wore number eight in his first stint with the team, but his jersey number will be 32 this time around.

The Pacers, and York, next play on Friday when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder.