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Quote:For Gates, pro path might lead to football
KSU basketball star grabs attention of NFL scouts, might get drafted
 By Brian Windhorst
 Beacon Journal staff writer

Antonio Gates' basketball career might be over, but his professional sports future could be bright.

It might sound nonsensical, but NFL scouts are coming in bunches to evaluate the Kent State basketball star who hasn't played a game in pads in nearly six years.

According to NFL sources, there is an excellent chance Gates will be either drafted in the late rounds in next week's NFL Draft or be signed as a free agent. Gates held a private workout for five NFL teams at the Kent State Fieldhouse on Monday, a week after he ran drills for the Browns and Steelers.

Gates is listed as 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds and was nearly unstoppable for the Golden Flashes this winter, earning first team All-Mid-American Conference and honorable mention All-America honors at forward after averaging 20 points.

In all honesty, Gates is closer to 6-3 than 6-5 and despite his shooting touch and innate rebounding ability, his options in professional basketball are limited by his size.

Gates did not help his cause last week at the Portsmouth Invitational in Virginia. He injured his ankle and scored just four points in limited action in two games at the showcase, which has historically been a proving ground for second-tier draft hopefuls.

Last week at his football workout, Gates reportedly ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, which lifted his NFL chances. Considering his size, agility and hand-eye coordination, many think he could become a prototype NFL tight end.

``The scouts are evaluating his athleticism and potential, he's doing some of the these drills for the fourth or fifth time while other guys have been working on them for months,'' said Ken Long, Kent State's assistant athletic director for facilities who has been helping Gates prepare for the workouts.

Long played in the NFL for six seasons and has been an assistant football coach and strength and conditioning coach for the Flashes in the past. He and basketball coach Jim Christian have been working the phones to get scouts out to see Gates in person.

``Based on his talent, speed and size, I think he has an excellent chance of making it on a training camp roster,'' Long said.

This is not an original idea. Gates received a football scholarship at Michigan State out of Detroit Central High School. Then-Spartans coach Nick Saban wanted to work him out at tight end or defensive end. Gates eventually transferred to Eastern Michigan, where he worked out with the Eagles in spring football practice as well.

When he first landed at Kent State under basketball coach Stan Heath, the plan was for Gates to also play football for Flashes' football coach Dean Pees last fall.

Those plans, however, were scrapped last spring after Kent State's run to the Elite Eight and Gates' subsequent decision to concentrate on basketball. That did not deter a steady stream on NFL scouts who came to Flashes basketball games to evaluate him.

The Browns returned to watch the workout Monday. Playing in Cleveland could be a viable option for Gates should he become a free agent. Versatile tight ends are a vital cog in Bruce Ariens' offense. The Browns are without a seventh-round pick this year, having traded it to San Diego for tight end Steve Heiden last year, and might be in the market for a project tight end such as Gates.

This is really ironic. I've read articles about Antonio where he indicated all he ever wanted to do was to play basketball, but kept getting pushed into football. One of the reasons he came to Kent was Heath told him he didn't have to do both unless he wanted to, and he didn't.

I guess the gridiron sounds like a better option than oversees or semi pro b-ball. We'll see.

FlashFan Wrote:This is really ironic. I've read articles about Antonio where he indicated all he ever wanted to do was to play basketball, but kept getting pushed into football. One of the reasons he came to Kent was Heath told him he didn't have to do both unless he wanted to, and he didn't.

I guess the gridiron sounds like a better option than oversees or semi pro b-ball. We'll see.

If he really wants to play bball, then why not overseas? It isn't that bad, and his game would improve so he'd have a shot at the NBA.

Plus as bad as the Cavs are, he might get some a chance w/ them after the Browns season is over.

Forgive me but I don't have much sympathy. Alot of people have to settle for careers that are less than their dream job, so playing in front of thousands of adoring fans in football rather than basketball doesn't break my heart.

I really don't think Antonio Gates is looking for sympathy.
What in that article would make you think he is? He has no reason to do all these NFL workouts if he didn't want to.

Quote:I guess the gridiron sounds like a better option than oversees or semi pro b-ball.

Of course, even if an NFL team shows interest, given the fact that he hasn't played football for six years, he may end up being sent to NFL Europe.

That was my thought, too--awfully tough to come back to a sport after 6 years and compete against the best who have been working hard at it during that time.
How many NFL players are there who sacrificed potential college hoops careers so they could focus on football? Plenty.
Not too many Charlie Wards out there who can do both sports at that level.
Gates does have some unique athletic skills, however. Makes for an interesting proposition.

The thing that can work in his favor is that he is a tight end, traditionally one of the smaller talent pools coming out of college. He has natural ability, so getting him back to playing level shoulden't be that hard. Plus when they have those off season Cleveland Browns versus your local police departmant charity basketball games, Gaes will single handedly whip the cops!

Dr. Torch,

There is nothing wrong with playing bball oversees. If I could do it instead of a daily office grind, would be there in a New York minute.

My observations were about the irony in Antonio's choices by taking a shot in a spot he walked away from (football) to concentrate on bball.

But, if I had the talent to try out for the NFL, I'd probably do that, too. Oh, man, don't even want to think about the gym time I'd need to get ready for that!!! :eek:

FlashFan Wrote:My observations were about the irony in Antonio's choices by taking a shot in a spot he walked away from (football) to concentrate on bball.

Irony?...or Gates is too much of a nancy-boy to eat escargot for a year and play in France?

You decide! :eek: