Andre Yates, of Dayton Dunbar, has verbally committed to Creighton University after visiting the campus recently. A strong 6’1 PG Yates is Triple Double Prospects #2 ranked point guard in the 2102 class, and the biggest recruiting coup of the 2012 class thus far for Creighton head coach Greg McDermott.
Yates said that it was his visit that really separated Creighton from the other schools on his list. “When I went on my visit it was really cool. I’ve never been anywhere near Nebraska before but I really liked it. The people there were friendly and they knew who I was, that was kind of a shock. To have so many people around campus showing me love it just felt like home. That whole town seems basketball crazy, they really love their Bluejays.”
In the end Creighton was the right choice for Yates but he had plenty of options. He claimed offers from Dayton, Nebraska, Cleveland State, Bowling Green, Wright State, and more before settling on the Bluejays.
A program that is known for success, Creighton made the NCAA tournament 6 times in the last 10 years, with 3 of the other 4 seasons being NIT tournament teams. That winning attitude is something that Yates loves as he hopes to lead his talented Dayton Dunbar team to a State Title in Division II this season. “We’re trying to get that ring this year, that’s the one and only goal. We’ve been hitting the weights hard, the track, playing open gym, working on our games, just really going hard focusing on this State Title.”
Yates, who spent the last three seasons at neighboring Trotwood-Madison, transferred over to Dunbar this season to accomplish just that. After averaging 15.4 points and 5.3 assists last season he will share scoring duties this year with fellow Division I prospect seniors Gary Akbar and Deontae “Teddy” Hawkins, both forwards. Dunbar won a State Title just two years ago, with Akbar and Hawkins as sophomore starters, and hope to do it again with the addition of Yates and freshman phenom guard Amos “AJ” Harris.
Yates should fit right in with the style of play at Creighton as Coach McDermott expressed his desire for Yates to play his natural role of a scoring point guard. A good shooter with a tight handle capable of breaking down his man and getting to the rim Andre has always been a dual threat point guard. “Coach wants a scoring point guard, the only other guy they will have at that position next year is more of a pure passer. So if I come in and work hard I should have a chance to get on the floor.”
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