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Fansided

Iowa basketball: Top five players in Fran McCaffery era

By Andrew Wade

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 21: Jarrod Uthoff #20 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drives to the net against the Syracuse Orange at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 2014 in New York City. Syracuse Orange defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 66-63 (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 21: Jarrod Uthoff #20 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drives to the net against the Syracuse Orange at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 2014 in New York City. Syracuse Orange defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 66-63 (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 09: Matt Gatens #5 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drives for a shot attempt during the Big Ten Conference game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 9, 2011 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue won 75-52. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – JANUARY 09: Matt Gatens #5 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drives for a shot attempt during the Big Ten Conference game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena on January 9, 2011 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue won 75-52. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

#4 – Matt Gatens

Gatens suffered through arguably one of the worst stretches of seasons in Iowa basketball history, but he is included on this list because the guy was incredibly talented. Only in Gaten’s senior season (and Fran’s second season) did the Hawks break the .500 mark as the Iowa City native carried the Hawks to 18 wins.

Although he never played in the NCAA Tournament, Gatens did get an opportunity to play in the NIT where the Iowa basketball team won their first and lost their second game.

Gaten’s finished his career 6th in scoring and 2nd in three-pointers. He also accumulated a few awards in his time with the Iowa basketball team. He was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (sophomore season), and Second Team All-Big Ten (senior season). Moreover, he was team captain for his final two seasons (both with Fran).

After his Hawkeye career, Gatens played overseas for a bit before attempting his last shot at the NBA with the Iowa Energy of the NBA G-League, but he tore his ACL just a few games in. He is now the Director of Basketball Operations at Drake University.

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