Gates heads to Lithuania to play for Pieno Žvaižgdės

Univ. of Cincinnati power forward Yancy Gates (6’9″, 270lbs) is heading to Lithuania to start his professional career with Pieno Žvaižgdės instead of going to camp with the Boston Celtics. Gates’ college coach, Mick Cronin, told the website cincinnati.com that Gates, who averaged 12.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game for the Bearcats in 2011-12, decided that a contract with money attached to it was more attractive than a non-guaranteed camp workout.

Gates was ranked the 25th NCAA Senior and 89th on the “Top 100 Prospect” list going into the 2012 NBA Draft. Gates went undrafted, many believe because of his involvement in a brawl during a game that lead to a six-game suspension, and his lack of consistency and focus. Cronin believes that starting in Europe is an opportunity for Gates to play at the next level and potentially work himself into an NBA uniform.

1 Comment

  1. Paul on August 17, 2012 at 20:51

    Saw his game at Cincinatti. Very good player!!!

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