Gaston College basketball player selected First Team D1 All-Region 10

Gaston College's first-year men's basketball program gained recognition from the National Junior College Athletic Association for one player's performance on the court this season. Jaylen Bates has been selected First Team D1 All-Region 10. 

Bates came to Gaston College from Atlanta, Ga., and averaged 13.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game this season. He finished the regular season as the team's second-leading scorer and leading rebounder. Bates also had two 30-point games this season, highlighted by a season-high of 36 points in a victory that wrapped up the Rhinos season on Feb. 28. 

David "Dickey" Nutt, head men's basketball coach at Gaston College, says this honor for Bates is well deserved. "Jaylen was that glue guy for us in so many ways on and off the court. Every day, he brought that super energy along with being such a superb athlete. His work ethic not only shooting the ball, but also on the defensive end was evident as the season went on," said Nutt.  

Bates is still considering multiple options for continuing his education and basketball career in the Fall. He has received offers from several Division I schools, including Florida A&M and South Carolina State.