It has been a meteoric rise for Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate, who has gone from being undrafted in 2018 to a member of the NBA’s All-Rookie first team for the 2020-21 season. The 6-foot-5 lefty credits his current coach, Stephen Silas, with much of his success.
Regarding Silas, here’s what Tate told host Jackson Gatlin during a recent episode of the “Locked on Rockets” podcast:
Coach Silas is a great dude. He’s a dude that any basketball player could get behind. He’ll always keep it 100 with you. He’s very easy to talk to. …
When you’ve got the HC backing you and putting you in positions to make timely decisions in your first year, that’s just a confidence booster.
We’ve been working very hard this summer. I think from top to bottom, we’re going to have a better season.
Jae'Sean Tate on Stephen Silas: "When you got the HC backing you and putting you in positions to make timely decisions in your first year, that's just a confidence booster…We've been working very hard this summer. I think from top to bottom we're gonna have a better season." https://t.co/t5P4zmMM7r
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) July 20, 2021
Known best for his toughness and defensive versatility, Tate averaged 11.3 points (50.6% FG) and 5.3 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game during his debut NBA season. Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has identified him as part of a “young core” to build around moving forward.
The complete podcast can be watched and/or listened to below.
