Gathings starred at
Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy in
Winston-Salem, North Carolina before starting his collegiate career at
Virginia Tech in 2000–01. In his
freshman season, Gathings played in 20 games and averaged 7.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals per contest. Despite the
Panthers finishing with a 7–20 overall record, Gathings was able to lead the Big South in both points and rebounds per game. That season, he recorded 12
double-doubles, scored his 1,000th career point, and made two game-winning shots as time expired. Gathings led the Panthers to the championship game of the
Big South tournament where they fell to
Liberty, 89–44. He was named the tournament's MVP despite being outplayed by Liberty freshman Larry Blair. Without being told to do so or it having been suggested to him, Gathings voluntarily handed the MVP trophy to Blair, the player he thought was most deserving, in a ceremony at Liberty's campus shortly thereafter. The NCAA named Gathings their 2003–04
Co-Sportsman of the Year for this benevolent act, which also made him the first athlete from High Point to be presented an NCAA-sponsored award. In Gathings'
senior season, defenses were more focused on him and his numbers suffered. He averaged 12.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, and the Panthers finished with a 13–18 overall record. Unlike his previous two seasons, he did not earn any All-Big South honors. Gathings concluded his collegiate career with net totals of 1,400 points, 662 rebounds, and 155 steals in 101 games played. ==Professional==