DES MOINES — Matt Gatens, a former University of Iowa standout who was most recently at Auburn, has been named the Drake men’s basketball program’s director of operations, head coach Darian DeVries announced Wednesday.

Gatens spent last season on staff at Auburn, the Southeastern Conference Champions, where he assisted in travel, development, scouting, video and camps. Gatens also aided in the development of the team’s guards, including all-SEC selections Bryce Brown and Jared Harper.

Gatens was a four-year starter at guard for Iowa where he scored 1,635 career points, the sixth most in Iowa history, and averaged 12.8 points and 2.3 rebounds per game.

Gatens is also an Iowa City native, named Mr. Basketball in 2008 after leading Iowa City High to a Class 4A state title.