Cecil College's sophomore forward Khalid Gates was selected as the NJCAA Region 20 Division II Men's Basketball player of the month for the month of January 2022. Players of the Month are selected at the month's end by a committee of Sports Information Directors from around Region 20.

Gates had a stellar month for the Seahawks while helping his team to a perfect 7-0 record during the month of January while starting all seven contests and averaging 25.6 minutes per game. The Seahawks achieved a national ranking as a high as 9th in the NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Poll.

During those seven games, Gates averaged 19.0 points per game while shooting 53.5% from the floor and 47.6% from beyond the arc. On the defensive end, Gates led his team with 8.1 rebounds per game. On January 19, Gates recorded a double-double and a season-high 27 points and 16 rebounds in Cecil's win over Anne Arundel Community College. Gates registered another notable game in the Seahawks 14th-straight victory over conference and region division rival, Howard Community College, with 26 points and seven rebounds. He also dished out two assists and tallied two blocked shots in the win over the Dragons on January 26.

Since the end of January, Gates has helped his team pick up five more victories, including an upset win over #4 Chesapeake College. Their win streak, that eventually came to an end against Harcum College, reached 18 games and the Seahawks currently boast an overall record of 21-2. The Seahawks currently sit in first place in the Region 20 Division II standings with a record of 8-0 and two region division matches left to play in the regular season.