Zander Yates

The Men’s Basketball Headhots are photographed on September 5, 2024.(Photo By: Kendall Tidwell)

Class:
Redshirt Junior
Position:
F
Height:
6-8
Weight:
225
Prev School:
Houston High School (Creighton)
Hometown:
Germantown, Tenn.

2023-24 (R-So.)

Appeared in 27 games
Named to NABC Honors Court
Garnered inclusion on CUSA Commissioner’s Honor Roll
Averaged 2.0 points and 0.7 rebounds per game
Connected on 36.8 percent (14-of-38) of his three-point attempts on the season
Scored a career-high 23 points versus St. Andrews on Dec. 16, was 8-of-9 from the field and 6-of-7 from three-point territory, added four rebounds and two assists in 20:07 of action
Contributed seven points and three rebounds in the win over Furman (Nov. 16) in the Myrtle Beach Invitational semifinals, was a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line
Finished with six points and two rebounds in the win over Maryland Eastern Shore, Nov. 25 at Liberty Arena
Saw 11:40 of action at Jacksonville State (Jan. 27), his most playing time in a CUSA games, grabbed three rebounds and added an assist

Previous School (Creighton)

Played for Creighton for two seasons
Appeared in 11 games during 2022-23 season for a Blue Jays squad which reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament
Averaged 1.5 points per game and shot 36.4 percent from long distance
Utilized redshirt during 2021-22 season

Prep

Graduate of Houston High School
Helped lead Houston to a Class 3A state title and a 21-3 overall record
Averaged 9.7 points and 6.7 rebounds during state tournament
Scored 14 points in a span of 116 seconds during a state semifinal victory
Coached by former NBA sharpshooter Mike Miller

Personal

Son of Jon and Kelly Yates
Father, Jon, played basketball at Liberty from 1989-91
Birthday is June 20
Majoring in interdisciplinary studies

Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
The coaching staff and the culture at Liberty led me to playing here.

Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
My dad inspires me because of the way he has grown up and lives his life.

What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
Winning state or going to the elite 8.

Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
My father, Jon Yates played at Liberty, my brother Zach Yates played at Austin Peay (football), my uncle, Mike Montgomery, played at Miami and Ohio (football), my cousin, Luke Montgomery, plays at Ohio state (football), and my cousin Ryan Montgomery will play college (still high school).

Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
Pizza is my favorite food.

What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
I check my texts, Oura, and Teamworks.

What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
Photography.

Do you have any current pets (name and type of animal)?
I have two dogs, named Bo and Bear.

Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Lebron James

What is your favorite possession and why?
My phone, it’s how I can communicate to my friends.

What is your dream vacation spot and why?
Any place tropical, I love the beach.