Former Kent State Basketball Star Shines in NFL
12/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Gates started eleven of the fifteen games he played in this season, grabbing 24 receptions for 389 yards and two touchdowns. He ranked fourth in receptions, and first in yards and touchdowns among rookie tight ends. Even more impressive, Gates ranked fifth in recieving yardage among all rookie recievers. Gates trailed only first-round draft picks Andre Johnson of Houston, Bryant Johnson of Arizona, second-round pick Anquan Boldin, of Arizona and thrid-round draftee Nate Burleson of Minnesota in recieving yards.
Gates played basketball for two seasons at Kent State, helping the Golden Flashes to 20-win seasons and postseason appearances in both the 2001-02 and 2002-03 campaigns. He was an honorable mention All-American as a senior in 2002-03, when he averaged 20.6 points and 7.7 rebounds. Gates last played organized football at Detroit Central High School, where he was a first-team all-state pick in basketball and football.
