KANSAS CITY – Kansas City Men’s Basketball and Head Coach Marvin Menzies have added a new face to the bench for the 2024-25 season, bringing in Jake Kates as an assistant coach. Kates is a Kansas City native and has spent the past 21 years as a head coach at the high school level in the metro area.
“I love Kansas City. It is my hometown and the city that raised me,” Kates said. “I am very excited about working with this basketball staff, under the leadership of Coach Menzies, as they have developed a winning culture that is player-centered. I’m very excited to help develop character in these young men.”
Kates’ most recent experience came as head boy’s basketball coach at William Chrisman HS, where he spent the past seven years. In those seven season, he was the leader of six district championship teams, including two district titles, one conference championship and two state quarterfinal appearances.
Prior to his time at WCHS, he was the head coach at Summit Christian Academy for 14 years. His teams at SCA won five district titles, appearing in four MSHSAA quarterfinals, one semifinal and one state championship.
Between his time at Summit Christian and William Chrisman, Kates has over 360 wins as a high school head coach.
Kates received his college education from Pensacola Christian College, earning a degree in Mathematics Education. He is the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,951 career points and was an all-region performer for three years, earning Second Team All-American honors in 2002.
Originally from Kansas City, Kates graduated from Tri City Christian HS in Independence, Mo. in 1996.
Kates is a current Lee’s Summit resident with his wife, Ashley. The pair have two children, Trey and Mason.
Kates is a member of the NABC and USAB, holding a USA Basketball Coaching License.