Why Celtics fans should pay close attention to Cincy’s Yancy Gates (Article)

[rondohondo]

WEEI » Green Street » Why Celtics fans should pay close attention to Cincy’s Yancy Gates

Size, power and quickness. Toughness, fearlessness and the ability to rebound.

All of those are qualities the Celtics could use. It’s a commodity they’ve been desperately seeking since Chris Wilcox and Jermaine O’Neal were lost for the season.

The Celtics won’t be in the lottery this season so scouts like Ryan McDonough will be searching long and hard in the college and amateur ranks for someone who might fall through the cracks and be available in the NBA Draft this June.

Meet Cincinnati’s Yancy Gates.

At 6-9, 260 pounds, he’s certainly powerful. He can rebound, currently ranked ninth all-time on Cincinnati’s all-time rebound list with 911. He is one of only six players in the school’s illustrious history with at least 1,400 points and 900 rebounds.

He’s a senior who’s been through the wars.

To his credit, he served a six-game suspension handed down by the school and expressed remorse. It was a complete loss of self-control and judgment. But in saying that, he has showed something else in the following three months – competitive fire.

While inconsistent at times, Gates has been the backbone of the interior game for the Bearcats, rebounding and playing defense, as coach Mick Cronin directed the team not to rely on his offense but the other things he brings to the table, like nine rebounds a game in the Big East, still considered the toughest in college basketball.

With his presence in the middle, he led the team to road wins over Pittsburgh, Georgetown and Connecticut and home wins over Louisville and Marquette. Then, in the Big East, the Bearcats did it again to Georgetown and sent No. 2 Syracuse packing before their offense was a no-show against Louisville in the Big East championship.

Fast-forward to the tournament, they handled Texas and eliminated No. 10 Florida State, the team that beat North Carolina in the ACC title game.

This is a Bearcats team tournament-tested, and ready to take on Jared Sullinger and the Buckeyes. This is a great chance for NBA scouts to see how Gates does against a big-man who projects as a potential lottery pick. And the Celtics will be watching Gates very closely. You can count on it.

http://greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/2012/03/22/why-celtics-fans-should-pay-close-attention-to-cincys-yancy-gates/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Sounds like the C's will be watching Gates closely when he goes up against Sullinger this week in Boston.I would be more than happy to get a legit big in the 2nd round

A draft of Royce White, Jae Crowder and Gates sounds pretty good to me  

[KGs Knee]

Worth a 2nd round pick.  Question is, will he be available?  I wouldn't use a 1st on him.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Like him. The guy is tough and a solid rebounder. But like KG's Knee said. I would not give pick him in the first. I don't think he has high enough ceiling.

[Who]

He sounds interesting. Seem to be a couple of intriguing PFs in that second round.

[Moranis]

University of Cincinnati alum and live in Cincinnati so I have seen quite a bit of Gates.  He is a pretty good athlete, but he generally failed to live up to his promise and potential while at school here.  He was a local kid that many thought would take Cincinnati back to the NCAA tournament year in and year out (like they were doing under Huggins), but he really only started to play well this year and only after the brawl (which he was a huge part of).  Even after the brawl he has been fairly inconsistent, though has just generally been better.  I think he matured a bit after the brawl and he had something to prove, so I think it really motivated him. 

That said, he would be a fairly solid 2nd round pick given his size and he does have raw talent.  Definitely would not use a 1st round pick on him. 

[ChapelHillCeltic]

Big dude.  Seems to have straightened out after the brawl.

2nd round would be fine.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I know nothing about Gates except what I've read on this thread, but I just wanted to say that whatever the near future holds for the Cs, this is the type of player Danny should focus on: someone who's physically powerful and can rebound well. We've got a solid PG in Rondo, and it seems like it's easier to find good shooters than it is to find good bigs. Having three guys with legit size who are also quite good (think Bynum-Odom-Gasol) is a proven recipe for great success in today's NBA. Besides that, I'm just tired, so very tired, of seeing the Cs give up offensive rebound after offensive rebound, while rarely getting any offensive rebounds of their own. The method of acquiring such players—draft, trade, or free agency—doesn't matter to me; just get 'em, Danny.