April 10, 2009
IOWA CITY, Iowa – – University of Iowa freshman guard Matt Gatens has been named as a fourth team Freshman all-American by CollegeHoops.net. Gatens (6-5, 215), an Iowa City native, was previously named to the Big Ten Conference all-Freshman team, selected by league coaches.
Gatens was the only Hawkeye to start all 32 games and he led the team in minutes played (34.1). He averaged 10.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game and ranked third on the team in assists (2.2) and steals (0.8). Gatens shot 42.2% from the field, 40.3% from three-point range and 90.4% from the free throw line.
“It’s always an honor to be recognized on a national level, and this is well deserved recognition for Matt,” said Iowa Coach Todd Lickliter. “From the start of the year, Matt’s play resembled that of a veteran, which is a tribute to his preparation. We’re excited about Matt’s future in our program.”
Gatens led the Big Ten in free throw percentage while establishing an Iowa single-season record. He ranks among Iowa’s top freshmen in points, three-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage. Among freshmen in the Big Ten Conference, Gatens ranked first in free throw percentage, three-point percentage and minutes played, second in three-point field goals per game and third in scoring.
Gatens is joined on the fourth team by Ohio State’s William Buford and B.J. Mullens, Mike Rosario of Rutgers and JaMychal Green of Alabama. Buford was selected as the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year.
CollegeHoops.net named Memphis guard Tyreke Evans as its Freshman of the Year. Evans was joined on the first team by Willie Warren of Oklahoma, Isaiah Thomas of Washington, Al-Farouq Aminu of Wake Forest and Greg Monroe of Georgetown.
The CollegeHoops.net all-America teams are voted on by staff writers.