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Iowa basketball: Former Hawkeye Matt Gatens joins Iowa United for TBT

By Andrew Wade

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) /
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The Basketball Tournament has begun, but the Iowa United are not done making roster moves as they added former Iowa basketball player Matt Gatens.

This weekend was the start of The Basketball Tournament, the $2 million winner-take-all tournament, and in just a few days the Iowa United team will be taking the court in their opening matchup against the Wichita State alumni team. When they tip-off, they will be joined by a new, yet familiar face in former Iowa basketball player Matt Gatens.

Gatens is the most recent addition to the 2019 Iowa United roster comprised of players from Iowa, Iowa State, Drake, and UW-Milwaukee, and it came not a moment too soon.

The Iowa United are set to get a few practices in this week before heading down to Wichita to play their game on Thursday. Gaten’s announcement came this morning.

Most people know Gatens from his career with the Iowa basketball team, but he’s got ties to one of the other major schools in Iowa, Drake University where he is currently working as the Director of Operations.

In Gatens, the Iowa United are getting a fantastic scorer who has great range from deep. With the Iowa basketball team, Gatens pieced together an impressive career and resume as a four-year starter.

He is a 1600 point scorer who averaged double figures in every season with the Hawks while shooting 41.5% from the field and 36.7% from behind the arc. The Iowa City native also chipped in in other areas averaging 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

Gaten’s arrival with the Iowa United is much needed as the AfterShocks are a guard-dominant team featuring six guards, two small forwards, and four post players.

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It remains to be seen how Gatens will fit into the rotation, but we will find out soon enough when the Iowa United take on the AfterShocks at 8 PM Central Standard Time in The Basketball Tournament Thursday evening. Tickets are still on sale, but the game will also be aired on ESPN if driving all the way to Wichita isn’t your cup of tea.

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