PRIOR TO LA TECH: Spent his sophomore year at Pensacola State College in Pensacola, Florida where he emerged as one of the top guards in the conference and region, ranking as the 10th best player in junior college by JucoRecruiting ... Was a First Team All-Panhandle Conference and was a Division I All-FCSAA Team selection after averaging 20.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game while shooting 46.9 percent from the field ... His scoring average ranked 18th in the country ... Scored in double figures in all 30 games played, including 17 contests with 20+ points ... The two-way playmaker also tallied 72 steals for an average of 2.4 per game, a stat that ranked 21st in the nation ... Spent his freshman season at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Mississippi where he started all 25 games for the Wolves, earning First Team All-MACCC honors after averaging 23.1 points per game, ranking top five in the nation in scoring, while shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from three-point range ... Also led the Wolves in rebounds per game at 7.8 on top of recording 94 assists and 52 steals ... Prepped at Hillcrest Christian School in his hometown of Jackson, Mississippi.

PERSONAL: Deven Isaiah Bates ... Nickname is "Dee" ... Son of Brandi bates ... One sister, Hannah ... Born June 10, 2002 in Jackson, Miss.