Wayne Yates
Encyclopedia
Wayne Yates is a retired American
basketball
player and coach. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers
of the National Basketball Association
and later was a college coach, most notably at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis
).
from North Little Rock High School in North Little Rock, Arkansas, first enrolled at New Mexico State University
in 1956. He played there two years, earning first team all-Border Conference honors as a sophomore in 1957–58
.
Yates transferred to Memphis State University following his sophomore year. After sitting out the 1958–59 season per NCAA transfer rules, Yates played his junior and senior seasons in Memphis. After a junior year where he averaged 5.3 points and 4.0 rebounds
per game, Yates broke out as a senior. He tallied 17.5 points and 14.4 rebounds and leading the Tigers to a berth in the 1961 National Invitation Tournament
. At the end of the season, Yates earned All-America
honors from the New York Times and Converse.
in the 1961 NBA Draft
with the fifth pick overall.
Yates played one season for the Lakers, backing up All-Star
Rudy LaRusso
in 1961–62 NBA season. He averaged 1.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 37 games in a season shortened by injury. In the offseason, he was traded to the Saint Louis Hawks for future draft picks.
Instead of reporting to the Hawks, Yates instead signed with the Oakland Oaks
of the fledgeling American Basketball League. While Yates found a productive role with the team, averaging 10.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game), the league folded before the season ended. Yates was invited to the New York Knicks
training camp prior to the 1963–64 NBA season, however he failed to make the team.
in 1969. When Iba was dismissed in 1970, new coach Gene Bartow
retained Yates as an assitant. Yates helped MSU to their first Final Four, as the upstart Tigers made it all the way to the 1973 NCAA tournament
final, losing to UCLA
. After one more season, Bartow left for Illinois and Yates was elevated to head coach.
The young coach had a successful tenure at Memphis State, leading the Tigers to three straight postseason appearances and four straight 19+ win seasons. However, a subpar 1978–79 season
, allegations of NCAA violations, and the academic suspension of Tigers star Tony Rufus all led to Yates announcing his resignation on February 8, 1979. He would be replaced by Dana Kirk
at the conclusion of the season. His final record in five seasons at Memphis was 111-49.
After a year off from coaching, Yates was named head coach at Northwestern Louisiana (now Northwestern State University
) in 1980. He coached there for five seasons, finishing with a 48-67 record at the school. Yates resigned following a 3-25 season in 1984–85.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player and coach. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
and later was a college coach, most notably at Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
).
College playing career
Wayne Yates, a 6'8 centerCenter (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
from North Little Rock High School in North Little Rock, Arkansas, first enrolled at New Mexico State University
New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball
The New Mexico State Aggies Basketball team is the basketball team that represents New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Founded in 1904, the Aggies currently compete in the Western Athletic Conference and last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2010...
in 1956. He played there two years, earning first team all-Border Conference honors as a sophomore in 1957–58
1957–58 NCAA University Division men's basketball season
-Season headlines:* Adolph Rupp won his fourth championship as he led the Kentucky Wildcats to an 84–72 win over the Seattle Chieftains and their star, Elgin Baylor. The starting unit was nicknamed the "Fiddlin' Five," after a quip by Rupp that his team were fiddlers when he really needed violinists...
.
Yates transferred to Memphis State University following his sophomore year. After sitting out the 1958–59 season per NCAA transfer rules, Yates played his junior and senior seasons in Memphis. After a junior year where he averaged 5.3 points and 4.0 rebounds
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
per game, Yates broke out as a senior. He tallied 17.5 points and 14.4 rebounds and leading the Tigers to a berth in the 1961 National Invitation Tournament
1961 National Invitation Tournament
The 1961 National Invitation Tournament was the 1961 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 12 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket....
. At the end of the season, Yates earned All-America
NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The NCAA Men's Basketball All-American teams are honorary teams made up of those NCAA basketball players voted the best in the country by a variety of organizations.-History:...
honors from the New York Times and Converse.
Professional career
After finishing his college career at Memphis State, Yates was drafted by the Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the 1961 NBA Draft
1961 NBA Draft
The 1961 NBA Draft was the 15th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 27, 1961 before the 1961–62 season. In this draft, nine NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year college...
with the fifth pick overall.
Yates played one season for the Lakers, backing up All-Star
NBA All-Star
NBA All-Star may refer to:*NBA All-Star Weekend*NBA All-Star Game*List of NBA All-Stars, players who have been selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game...
Rudy LaRusso
Rudy LaRusso
Rudolph "Rudy" A. LaRusso was an American 6' 7" five-time National Basketball Association All-Star.-Early life:He attended James Madison High School in Brooklyn...
in 1961–62 NBA season. He averaged 1.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 37 games in a season shortened by injury. In the offseason, he was traded to the Saint Louis Hawks for future draft picks.
Instead of reporting to the Hawks, Yates instead signed with the Oakland Oaks
Oakland Oaks (ABL)
The Oakland Oaks were an American basketball team based in Oakland, California that was a member of the American Basketball League.The team was previously known as the San Francisco Saints.-Year-by-year:...
of the fledgeling American Basketball League. While Yates found a productive role with the team, averaging 10.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game), the league folded before the season ended. Yates was invited to the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
training camp prior to the 1963–64 NBA season, however he failed to make the team.
Coaching career
Yates returned to his alma mater, Memphis State, as an assistant to head coach Moe IbaMoe Iba
Henry "Moe" Iba Jr. is an American basketball coach. He coached the University of Memphis from 1966–1970, the University of Nebraska from 1980–1986 and Texas Christian University from 1987-1994....
in 1969. When Iba was dismissed in 1970, new coach Gene Bartow
Gene Bartow
Gene Bartow is a former men's college basketball coach. The Browning, Missouri, native coached 36 years at six universities after coaching two high schools in Missouri for six years.-High school:...
retained Yates as an assitant. Yates helped MSU to their first Final Four, as the upstart Tigers made it all the way to the 1973 NCAA tournament
1973 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1973 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 25 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA University Division college basketball. It began on March 10, 1973, and ended with the championship game on March 26 in St. Louis, Missouri...
final, losing to UCLA
UCLA Bruins men's basketball
The UCLA Bruins men's basketball program, established in 1920, owns a record 11 Division I NCAA championships. UCLA teams coached by John Wooden won 10 national titles in 12 seasons from 1964 to 1975, including 7 straight from 1967 to 1973. UCLA went undefeated a record 4 times, in 1964, 1967,...
. After one more season, Bartow left for Illinois and Yates was elevated to head coach.
The young coach had a successful tenure at Memphis State, leading the Tigers to three straight postseason appearances and four straight 19+ win seasons. However, a subpar 1978–79 season
1978–79 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
-Pre-season polls:The top 20 from the AP Poll during the pre-season.-Conference winners and tournaments:Of 22 Division I basketball conferences, 13 determined their league champion with a single-elimination tournament, while seven leagues sent their regular-season champion to the NCAA tournament...
, allegations of NCAA violations, and the academic suspension of Tigers star Tony Rufus all led to Yates announcing his resignation on February 8, 1979. He would be replaced by Dana Kirk
Dana Kirk (basketball)
Dana Grey Kirk was an American college basketball coach. He was the head coach for the Memphis State University men's team from 1979 to 1986. His coaching record was 158–58, including a Final Four appearance in 1985...
at the conclusion of the season. His final record in five seasons at Memphis was 111-49.
After a year off from coaching, Yates was named head coach at Northwestern Louisiana (now Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University, known as NSU, is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as...
) in 1980. He coached there for five seasons, finishing with a 48-67 record at the school. Yates resigned following a 3-25 season in 1984–85.