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How Dennis Gates' rise from Chicago prep guard to Cal freshman captain leads him to Mizzou

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Twenty-five years ago, Dennis Gates was full of surprises on his recruiting visit to the Bay Area.

Gates, one of several Division I prospects from his powerhouse high school team in Chicago, was in Berkeley, California, visiting the Cal campus when on his second day there, coach Ben Braun asked over breakfast if Gates was ready to commit to the Golden Bears.

No, Gates said. But …

“Go read the paper,” he told Braun.

Braun was confused but went and found that day’s Oakland Tribune. There in the sports section was Cal beat writer Jeff Faraudo’s byline under the headline: “Dennis Gates commits to Cal”

Gates pulled a fast one on his future coach, future boss and future hype man.