Gatlin Signs with Presentation College

Marcus Gatlin is continuing his college basketball career at Presentation College in South Dakota. (Marcus Gatlin)

Gatlin Bio
Gatlin Stats
Presentation Men's Basketball

PALATINE, Ill. – Harper College men's basketball player Marcus Gatlin (Chicago, Ill./Curie) blossomed into an outstanding player in his sophomore season for the Hawks. His successes on the court and in the classroom paid off, as he recently signed to continue his basketball career at Presentation College in South Dakota.

Gatlin will play for the Saints, members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and North Star Athletic Association. Presentation is coached by Jeremy Reigle, who has been the head coach for six years.

Gatlin, a native of Chicago and graduate of Curie High School, was drawn to Presentation College for a couple of reasons.

"What made me sign with Presentation College was the vibe I picked up right away from the South Dakota area and also the coaching staff. We laughed and shared smiles most importantly," Gatlin said. "Coach Reigle is a very determined man. I thought he was honest with me from day one, and that was my main choice of picking his school."

As a sophomore for Harper, Gatlin's list of accomplishments is rather lengthy. He was the NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball National Player of the Week, three-time NJCAA Region IV Division III Men's Basketball Player of the Week, a Second Team All-N4C selection, and a Harper College Athlete of the Week.

The 5-foot-9 point guard started all 31 games for the Hawks and averaged 18.0 PPG (second on team), 6.3 RPG (first on team), and 5.5 APG while averaging 36.9 minutes per game (fourth in nation). Gatlin shot 73.1 percent (179-of-245) from the foul line and was second in the country with 179 makes from the free throw line. 

As a freshman, he appeared in all 31 games (22 starts) and averaged 7.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 2.6 APG. Gatlin improved as the season went along and averaged 8.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 2.9 APG in 14 league games. On Feb. 16, 2015, he earned NJCAA Region IV Div. III Men's Basketball Player of the Week honors for the first time.

Off the court, Gatlin maintained a 3.2 GPA at Harper and plans to study exercise science at Presentation because of his love and passion for sports.

"I love the fact that sports can teach you a lot of things in life, such as hard work, patience, determination, and how to become a leader," he said.

Looking back at his time as a Harper Hawk, he says he has learned many valuable life lessons.

"Harper has taught me a lot. Coming to this college has made me look at life differently in a good way. It also made me mature enough to the point where I can thrive in the real world," Gatlin said. "Harper made me realize people are really watching you each and every day and look up to you as well. Lastly, Harper has made me become who I am today within two years. It's crazy, but it's the truth."