By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After parting ways with Joventut Badalona, Kaiser Gates joined UCAM Murcia by signing a contract for the remainder of the 2024-25 season with an option for the 2025-26 season.
The Universitarios officially welcomed the 28-year-old small forward on Monday.
The former Xavier standout will return to the Basketball Champions League after nine appearances with Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in the 2021-22 season. Following the stint with the Israeli club, he spent the next two years in the G League and also debuted in the NBA drawing one appearance in the 2023-24 Regular Season with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Back to overseas options and displaying athleticism in the 2024-25 edition of the BKT EuroCup as a member of Badalona, Gates tallied 7.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.3 blocks per contest over 12 games, including eight starts. In Spain’s Liga Endesa, he added 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.4 blocks, and 0.4 steals per contest.
The next assignment for the Atlanta native meets the team coached by Sito Alonso in the Round of 16 of the BCL. His new side will face ERA Nymburk and two more teams coming out of the Play-Ins in a six-game double-legged round-robin schedule for two tickets from Group L to the Quarterfinals.
Staying in the ACB, he moves from Badalona’s 11-6 to an 8-9 record for Murcia and is expected to play in Round 18 against FC Barcelona in Palacio de Deportes on Sunday.
Photo Credit: FIBA