Jacob Bates played for the Centre College Colonels in Danville, Kentucky in the SAA coached by Greg Mason.  I’d like to thank Jacob for sharing advice for young players with me. In sharing advice, Jacob wrote, “My advice to younger players would be to embrace the grind of basketball, no matter what level you play at, it is not going to be easy. If your goal is to play college basketball, it’s not going to be easy.  If playing college basketball was easy, everybody would be doing it. The bonds that you make during a basketball season are ones that will carry with you beyond the court and out Into life. Cherish the memories and friendships and let them drive you to be a better basketball player and a better person.  Welcome competition and don’t get complacent, everyone has room for improvement and the more you challenge yourself, the better you will become. My last piece of advice would be to enjoy every moment you have playing basketball, because in a flash it could be gone and you don’t want there to be any regrets. “ As a senior, Jacob averaged 18.9 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 57.2% from the field, 38.4% from deep and 73.2% from the free throw line per game. He scored 549 points, grabbed 220 rebounds, dished out 60 assists, had 22 steals, blocked 19 shots and made 28 threes. He had 23 games with 10 or more points and 6 games with 2 or more made threes as a senior for the Colonels. He made NABC NCAA DIII All-American 3rd team.