Yancy Gates

Offered. Verballed on 4/16/07. Signed Nov 2007.

04/09/08: from the Enquirer -
Amber Gray and Yancy Gates were out getting better. Gray (Lakota West) and Gates (Withrow) lead the Enquirer's winter sports all-stars as girls' and boys' basketball player of the year, respectively. "I'm sitting in my office last summer, and he's out at Nippert (Stadium) running sprints in 98 degree heat," said UC coach Mick Cronin, who welcomes Gates to the fold for 2008-09. "People look at him and just see a great big kid, but he's put in the time to get better."

Gates this season averaged 21.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.7 assists a game. He was Associated Press Division I state player of the year, Southwest District player of the year and Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference player of the year. He was named to the Parade All-America fourth team, putting him among the nation's top 40 players.

Gates also put in his work outside the gym. He has spent time running the steps at Nippert, running laps at Withrow's track and bicycling at Lunken Playfield.

Gates is so big and sometimes so easygoing, some wondered why his statistics were not even better. One reason, Withrow coach Walt McBride said, was the double- and triple-teams Gates saw throughout high school.

Gates learned to deal with constant double- and triple-teaming by defenders. "I had a lot of good players around me," Gates said. "That helped me a lot."

Cronin has rated Gates alongside the city's best ever, saying Gates may be the area’s best big man since Withrow's La Salle Thompson in the late 1970s. Thompson went on to a 15-year NBA career.

Gates received all-city recognition as a junior but was not player of the year, and that was one of his goals this season. "He felt he was becoming unnoticed, so he worked hard over the summer," McBride said. "He loves a challenge. He put up the numbers."

Gates ended his career by missing two free throws late in the Division I regional final, with Withrow (22-4) falling a game short of the state tournament. "I still think about it, but you move on," Gates said. "I just want to improve my all-around game and contribute as much as I can at UC."




04/01/08: Although his name is misspelled, Gates was named a 4th team ALl American by Parade Magazine.
http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2008/edition_04-06-2008/4All_America_Boys_Basketball

03/10/08: "Withrow's Yancy Gates was named to the first-team Division I All-Ohio high school basketball team, and was also awarded the Division I player of the year award. Gates, a 6-foot-9 senior, averaged 21.2 points per game. Gates has committed to play next season for the Cincinnati Bearcats." - Enquirer.com

03/09/08: Gates missed two FT's with Withrow down one with two seconds left. St Xavier won. Gates finished with 16 pts and five rebounds. - Mike Ryan

03/06/08: "The University of Cincinnati-bound Gates scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as Withrow completed the rematch (with St Xavier) by rolling past Huber Heights Wayne 76-60 in the second half of the doubleheader. He finished with six dunks." - Enquirer.com

03/01/08: "Withrow senior center Yancy Gates (6 feet 9, 250 pounds), the Southwest District player of the year, had 25 points, nine rebounds, five blocked shots and four dunks as the Tigers advanced to regional play for the second consecutive year. Withrow (21-3) will play Huber Heights Wayne in the regional semifinals Wednesday (8 p.m.) at Xavier University's Cintas Center. Gates, signed with the University of Cincinnati for next season, blocked five shots in the first half alone. Then, he scored the Tigers' first eight points to start the third quarter, helping Withrow extend a 31-19 halftime lead to 39-25. "Everybody in the building knows Yancy's going to get the ball," McBride said. "He's our go-to guy. He's really feeling it right now." Gates, who averages 21.2 points a game, also had two assists, two steals and only one turnover in 30 minutes of play Saturday. Gates was 10-for-14 from the field and 5-for-8 at the foul line. (He was 0-for-1 on 3-pointers)." - Enquirer.com

02/26/08: At the beginning of the second half, Gates was called for a foul that he disagreed with - and he was mad. Over the next four minutes he had 11 pts, two rebs and two blocks as he played with power and confidence, even while facing double teams. He was unstoppable for this period of time. Gates sometimes is called 'lazy', but this four minute stretch is what Cronin should be able to get out of him regularly this fall. Next game - Sat Mar 1st at UD Arena at 8pm. - Mike Ryan

02/26/08: Yancy Gates had 33 points, 15 boards and four blocks for Withrow (in an overtime win over Talawanda). - Enquirer.com

02/20/08: Named the Div 1, Associated Press Southwest All-District boys basketball Player of the Year.

01/25/08: had 29 pts in a win over West High.

01/18/08: Yancy Gates had 29 points and 17 rebounds in a win over Landmark Christian.

01/11/08: Scored 14 pts in a win over Woodward. Faced up against another D1 college recruit in TeAllen Price and did well. However, it was an ugly game for both teams with many turnovers and sloppy play. Mick Cronin attended the game. - Mike Ryan

Article - Gates: "Standout on the court fits in at school"

11/14/07: "Both Yancy Gates and Cashmere Wright are official. "We have added two very talented players, the kind of players you must have to compete in the Big East conference," Mick said. "Our 2007 and 2008 classes now total eight recruits. All of these players have Big East caliber talent, and we must now coach and develop them into a team that can compete for a championship in the years to come. They will combine with Mike Williams and Deonta Vaughn and grow into a team that can compete at the highest level as they gain experience."

Depending on whether Mike Williams gets that second year of eligibility, UC will have two or three scholarships remaining. Mick also said he might hold back one or two for the 2009 class. - Josh Katzowitz' blog; Enquirer.com

11/14/07: UC expects to sign two players during the early signing period for basketball that begins today. Yancy Gates, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Withrow High School, committed to UC in April. Cashmere Wright, a 6-foot point guard from Savannah (Ga.) Urban Christian High School, committed in August. Gates, who averaged 19.4 points and 7.4 rebounds last season, is ranked No. 80 in the class of 2008 by Rivals.com, No. 26 among power forwards. Wright, who averaged 36 points last season, is ranked No. 73 in his class, No. 11 among point guards. If those two players sign, Cronin will have three scholarships remaining for next season." - Enquirer.com

11/12/07:
http://cincinnati.scout.com/2/701009.html

Video: unknown date
http://prepballerstv.com/yancygates.html

06/21/07: "6-foot-9 PF Cincinnati, OH Withrow absolutely was a force on day one, he attacked [the] hoop with a vengeance [like] we haven't seen in some time from him, and finished everything with slams or power ups. He was tough on offensive glass too. He raised some eyebrows with his consistent effort on day one." - www.HoopMasters.com

06/07/07: Thirty of the nation's top high school underclassmen have accepted invitations to compete in the 2007 USA Basketball Men's Youth Development Festival. They include - Yancy Gates, Delvon Roe, Willie Warren, Nate Miles (and many others) - HoopMasters.com

05/29/07: Was named to the 46 man 17U All Tournament Team at Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions.

04/17/07:
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070417/SPT0101/704170338/1062/SPT

04/16/07:
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070416/SPT0101/704160327

04/15/07: 6-foot-9 manchild Yancy Gates will be a Bearcat in the 2008-2009 season, according to Cleveland Basketball Club Director Michael Duncan.

This does not come as a surprise to most recruiting experts, as there have been mumblings for quite some time of Yancy’s interest in UC. He will have the opportunity to come in and play immediately, while staying close to home and also allowing his stepfather (and AAU coach) Tony Dees to watch him throughout his collegiate career. "Yancy chose Cincinnati over Indiana and Georgetown," Duncan said. "He is a great commitment for UC, and will be huge in Mick Cronin bringing the program back up to the prominence that Bob Huggins had it at in years past." Gates led his Cincinnati Withrow squad to a 17-6 record this past season, missing out on a trip to the state final four by a single game. He posted averages of 19.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks per game as a junior at Withrow. - www.draftexpress.com

04/15/07:
http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=664016

04/15/07:
http://cincinnati.scout.com/2/635860.html
(changed to verbal)

04/07/07: http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stories/040707aal.html
Yancey Gates the 6-9 235-pound man-child from the Cleveland Basketball Club is a monster when motivated. He was super in game one today but struggled at times in late afternoon game. Make no mistake: Gates will be a stud down the road. He already has looks coming from Ohio State, Florida, Pittsburgh and Louisville among a long list of schools.

03/21/07:
http://kansasstate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=654989

03/20/07: "Gates, a 6-9 junior, is considered the area's top recruit for the 2008 class and is being courted by many schools. Gates is expected to make his college decision after the summer, Withrow coach Walt McBride said." - Enquirer.com

03/19/07: Named Second team, All State.

03/18/07: St Xavier beats Withrow at Prep Hoops Online

03/17/07: Withrow Beats Elder at Prep Hoops Online

03/13/07: Gates had 15 and 11 in a big win over Elder.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070315/SPT0301/303150054

03/10/07: Mick Cronin attended the LaSalle Withrow playoff game that Withrow won, 55-48 in OT. Gates had 24 pts.
"Gates, Withrow's 6-foot-8 junior center, finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds in leading Withrow to its first regional appearance since Brandon Hunter was starring for the Tigers a decade ago. "He was a huge factor," La Salle coach Dan Fleming said. "From the end of the first half, when he scored six straight points, we had no answer for him over a 15-minute stretch where he played really, really well."

Withrow scored the first seven points of overtime. Gates had the play that energized Withrow down the stretch. With the Tigers up 48-45, Gates collected an offensive rebound off his own miss and threw down a dunk while being fouled. "That sent us through the roof," Withrow coach Walt McBride said. "Normally, when he gets a thunderous dunk, we take off with energy. That was an NBA play." - Enquirer.com

03/05/07:
http://cincinnati.scout.com/2/623947.html

02/28/07: "Johnson thinks Cincinnati and Xavier are the teams to beat for Gates, although Georgetown, Florida, Michigan, and Indiana are still in the picture and this one is likely to drag out until next fall." - HoopScoopOnline.com

02/26/07: Cronin attended the Withrow/Colerain game.

02/02/07: Mick Cronin attended the Dayton Dunbar - Withrow game.

01/20/07: Junior center Yancy Gates added 13 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Colonel White HS. - Enquirer.com

01/16/07: "Yancy Gates was the big attraction at Monday's second annual Martin Luther King Day Basketball Classic, and the Withrow star did not disappoint. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Gates had 24 points and eight rebounds to lead Withrow past Winton Woods 71-53, in the third of three MLK Day games at Xavier University's Cintas Center. Gates is considered the area's top high school basketball recruit, with preseason ratings of 16th overall nationally (among juniors) by Rivals.com and 12th by Scout.com. . . .is being courted by several universities, including Ohio State, Florida, Cincinnati and Xavier." - Enquirer.com

12/15/06:
http://cincinnati.scout.com/2/601003.html
Attended the Crosstown Shootout.

12/05/06:
http://scouthoops.scout.com/2/597855.html

10/14/06: Attended Bearcat Madness.

09/26/06: "Cincinnati Withrow hoopster Yancy Gates already has the nation's top basketball colleges knocking on his door. . . "
http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/572639.html

09/12/06: Listed as the 10th best player in his class. - www.HoopMasters.com

09/07/06: "Our guess is that Cincinnati will be tough to beat for Gates, but Ohio State, Xavier, Michigan, Louisville, Indiana, and Florida are also still being mentioned." - HoopScoopOnline.com

09/01/06: Listed as the 14th best player in the country, in his class. - HoopScoopOnline.com

08/15/06: Transferred to Withrow HS.

08/15/06: Listed as the 21st best player in the country, in his class. - www.PrepHoopsOnline.com

07/09/06: Listed as the 21st best player at the adidas Superstar Camp. - HoopScoop

06/30/06: Offered per ScoutHoops

06/24/06: "When he goes to work inside or at least inside of 15 feet, he tends to look outstanding. . . "
http://louisville.scout.com/2/541931.html

05/10/06: "The early list for 6'9 Soph Yancey Gates from Cincinnati (Hughes) OH includes Florida, Ohio State, Syracuse, Michigan, and Cincinnati." - HoopScoopOnline.com

01/30/06: "Gate's strength is on the boards. He can grab rebounds in a crowd and maintain control. He showed a smooth jump hook near the paint and with improved conditioning he could really improve his athleticism and all around game. He has a large amount of talent to build on." - www.PrepHoopsOnline.com

11/29/05: Listed as the 4th best player in his class in the nation (BJ Mullens, #6; Xavier Gibson, #14; Delvon Roe #17; William Buford, #26)) - HoopScoopOnline.com

10/21/05: Listed as the second best player in the state (#1 William Buford) - www.PrepHoopsOnline.com

08/24/05: Interview with Gates and his father, Tony Dees.
http://michigan.scout.com/2/428649.html

06/09/05: Listed as one of the top 25 players in Ohio, regardless of class. - HoopScoopOnline.com