Gill’s Spirits Reportedly ‘Upbeat,’ Due Back In Seattle Within Week

Word continues to filter back from Chicago about the status of Sonics guard Kendall Gill, who is on indefinite leave from the team for “symptoms of depression.”

Gill again could not be reached from his parents home in suburban Chicago on Thursday, but his mother Linda Gill did have an upbeat report.

“Everything is fine,” Gill said. “The best thing to do is for everybody to wait until he comes back to Seattle, which probably will be within a week.”

Sonics coach George Karl said his conversation with Gill on Wednesday was good, and reinforced Gill’s interest in the team, particularly after the 22-point loss at Utah.

“He was coaching,” Karl chuckled. “He was talking about what we did wrong against Utah, and how we didn’t wake up until the second quarter. He said he’d watch this game (win over Denver) on the satellite too.”

Karl conceded he “felt naked” in Utah without Gill and injured Vince Askew, whose inflamed left foot is coming along rapidly.

Askew ran hard in practice Wednesday, and before the game Thursday. Karl expects Askew back for the Dallas game Saturday. Bill Cartwright, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow, probably will be out another week.