St. Bonaventure guard commits to Butler

Jordan Gathers didn't want his college career to end when he missed this season at St. Bonaventure due to a hip injury. A trip to Indianapolis convinced him Butler is the place to continue it.

"It's just a great school," said Gathers, who was in attendance during the Bulldogs' game against Villanova on Feb. 14. "Great city, great atmosphere, great tradition of basketball with Hinkle Fieldhouse. When I went in there, you can feel that vive. It's a place where I feel great things can happen."

Gathers, a 6-3, 200-pound combo guard, officially made a commitment to the Bulldogs this weekend. He played three seasons for the Bonnies before graduating in December with a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications.

He has one season of eligibility remaining and will be available for the 2015-16 season. He likely will be one of Butler's top reserves off the bench, spelling both Kellen Dunham and Roosevelt Jones and perhaps new point guard Tyler Lewis. Gathers said he'll accept whatever role he's given.

"I'm definitely a team guy and definitely a guy that does what it takes to win," he said. "I'm a serious competitor and winning is definitely a priority. Watching the Butler this season, the guys all played together. They all have one common goal and it's why they did so well. I think it's a place I'll fit in."

Butler fans have seen Gathers before. The Bulldogs were Atlantic 10 rivals of St. Bonaventure during the 2012-13 season before leaving after just one year to join the Big East. He played in 91 games over three seasons at St. Bonaventure, including 25 starts, and averaged 4.5 points.

He is best year came as a junior – which turned out to be his final one with the Bonnies -- when he averaged 8.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists during the 2013-14 season. He capped it off by hitting a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer in a 71-68 victory over top-seeded Saint Louis in the Atlantic 10 tournament. Gathers also started nine games as a freshman during the 2011-12 season, when St. Bonaventure won the A-10 title and advanced to the NCAA tournament.

Gathers played college basketball in upstate New York, he grew up in southern California and is the nephew of college basketball legend Hank Gathers. Jordan was born several years after Hank died on the court during a game while playing for Loyola Marymount in 1990, but he honors his uncle's memory with the Twitter handle @44LivesOn, Hank's uniform number.

"My uncle's name carries a lot of weight for what he did and what he accomplished," Jordan said. "I carry so much pride in being able to carry that name and live with his legacy in a positive way. I think I'll be able to do that Butler."

Follow Star reporter Michael Pointer on Twitter: @michaelpointer.