Gates’ older brother gunned down in 2001

Curtis Gates, the older brother of “Hoop Dreams” protagonist William Gates, was murdered on Sept. 10, 2001, caught in an apparent love triangle.

The family was later told by police that he had been kidnapped by a man who was seeing the same woman. According to police reports at the time, he had run through the rear door of a home and telephoned police that he had been shot in the arm.

The assailant followed the trail of blood and fired three shots with a rifle as Curtis lay on the ground. William was in so much denial, he asked to see Curtis’ lifeless body at the hospital the night of the murder.

Curtis’ funeral was on a Saturday and William had a workout with the Bulls the following Tuesday. He performed well, but with so many guaranteed contracts the Bulls said they wanted to keep him on the reserve team and promised nothing.

“Curtis was the only one who knew about my comeback,” William said. “He met Michael (Jordan). He told me, ‘If you make it, I’m quitting my job and travel where you travel.’ “

The man police charged spent 2 1/2 years in jail, but was acquitted.

– Mike Wise, Washington Post