Gates Goes For Team USA Tryout – Chance To Grow

Last season, Mick Cronin benched Yancy Gates for no other reason other than he needed to “grow up.” In the thick of the Big East season, Gates had to watch his teammates battle through his childishness and play on without him. Gates often sulked on the bench and was labeled as a player whose effort didn’t match his physical ability. In the end, Cronin succeeded with Gates who finished as the team’s leading scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker.

Yancy Gates is one of 22 of the nation’s top collegiate athletes who have accepted invitations from the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team Committee to attend the 2011 USA Basketball Men’s World University Games Team training camp.

Gates finished his junior season at UC in 2010-11, helping the Bearcats to a 26-9 record and a return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2004-05 season. The 6-9 forward led the Bearcats in scoring (11.9 ppg) and rebounding (6.9 rpg) while shooting .511 from the floor.

I believe this tryout will be an eye opener for Yancy as he prepares for his senior season at UC. Competing against some of the top pros and college players in the world will hopefully allow Yancy to see where he needs to improve in order to reach his ultimate goal of playing in the NBA. I hope he does very well and gets the chance to play for Team USA.