By KEVIN McNAMARA
Dink Pate’s quest for a college basketball career is over.
The 20-year old wing talent is withdrawing from school at Providence College to try and beat a deadline for securing a spot in the NBA’s G League. Pate is expected to sign an Exhibit 10 contract with a team, most likely the Westchester Knicks who he has played with previously. Pate has been fighting with the NCAA for months over his collegiate eligibility and did not want to risk being denied and not having a professional position to fall back on.
Pate’s move was confirmed by PC coach Bryan Hodgson.
Pate has played in the G League for three years since leaving high school in Texas. He wanted to further his career with a season in the Big East but was ran up against the NCAA’s recent crack down on anyone who had played in any NBA-affiliated league.
Pate averaged 16.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists in the G League regular season a year ago with Westchester. That production against former college stars was expected to translate into a strong season in college but that will not happen. Instead Hodgson will rely on a deep group of wing players in his first season at Providence. Co-captains Miles Byrd and Devin Vanterpool, returnee Ryan Mela and freshman Javon Bardwell are just some of the options to see opportunities as wing scorers.
Providence’s eligibility questions will now focus on Joe Pinion and Derek Simpson, two of dozens of players nationally looking for a fifth season of eligibility. Pinion and Simpson will have a hearing on their case on Monday in U.S. District Court.
The Friars play their first of two exhibition games Saturday at the AMP vs. Pittsburgh (2p.m.)
