Feb. 07--Like many point guards, Jaylon Tate studied the pros.
He combed over games and replays from stars like Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose and, especially, Chris Paul. Unlike other teenagers, he was not just trying to zero in on and imitate their handles or crossovers or highlight-worthy passes.
"Whenever you watch (Paul) you can just tell he has great command of the game," Tate said. "Everyone just follows him. That's what I want to be for my teammates, someone they can look to and trust."
Tate has gained that this season from teammates, coaches and fans. Center Nnanna Egwu noted that Tate has a "great command" for the game, a sentiment coach John Groce has echoed often.
Through the last five games, the sophomore has recorded at least five assists to average 6.2 assists per game in the stretch. For the season, he averages 3.6 assists to 1.3 turnovers per game. He also averages four points and shoots the third most free throws on the team, converting 85.5 percent.
His services could be a deciding factor for Illinois (15-8, 5-5 Big Ten) on Saturday at Michigan State (15-7, 6-3), where the Illini are going for their first three-game winning streak of the conference season.
"I think (he has learned) through experience," Groce said. "Getting knocked down and getting back up."
Indeed, Tate played in 33 games last season behind starter Tracy Abrams, averaging two assists in 12.2 minutes per game. Out of Simeon High, along with high school and current teammate Kendrick Nunn, Tate won a state title and averaged 7.3 assists per game.
"There were times he got knocked on his can a lot last year," Groce said.
Said Tate: "I went through a lot of adversity. That's typical for a lot of freshmen. Coach Groce explained that to me. Going through that adversity helped me a lot as a player. It helped me work harder and helped me know what I need to work on."
When news hit in the preseason of Abrams being sidelined for the season, coaches pulled aside Tate and delivered a message he said he was ready to hear and take on.
"'It's your time now,'" Tate said the coaches told him. "'We expect a lot of you as a leader.' (Abrams) is a great player, but even more he's a great leader. I knew from Day 1 (this season) I had step it up."
Tate said Abrams is "on me every day in practice" about the right way to lead. Nobody ever has described Tate as a introvert on the court, but he took on more of a vocal role like Abrams -- and like the NBA players he used to study.
"Sometimes you live in a world and environment where people are afraid to make decisions," Groce said. "Staying the status quo or staying even doesn't put them out there either way and that's a real shame. I give Jaylon credit. He took all those things, all those experiences when he threw himself in to the fire, and that fire made him stronger."
Tate said he knows where his focus is -- and what he has to say.
"Just always helping the team out when they make a good or bad play," he said. "Keep the team level and focused on what we need to do, get them moving on to the next play. "
sryan@tribpub.com
Twitter @sryantribune
