For Jae'Sean Tate, playing basketball at the highest level was a dream of his from a young age. With his dad playing collegiate basketball at Ohio State University and Cincinnati as well as professionally overseas for over 10 years, Jae'Sean had been surrounded by the game and committed to embarking on a journey of his own in the sport for as long as he can remember. Sure enough, he did just that. In the eighth grade, he began to play organized basketball and develop his skills on the court. Despite not getting much playing time early on, Jae'Sean remained focused on expanding his knowledge of the game. Before he knew it, the opportunity to inch closer to his dreams of playing professionally was here and he was ready. After graduating high school, Jae'Sean followed in his dad's footsteps and began his collegiate career at Ohio State. Throughout his time there, he continued to build his basketball IQ and prepare for the next chapter in his basketball journey. He was on a mission. Although he went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, Jae'Sean was determined to turn his dreams of playing in the NBA to reality. Shortly after, he headed overseas—playing professionally with the Antwerp Giants in Belgium and Sydney Kings in Australia. After an incredible career overseas, Jae'Sean signed with the Houston Rockets in 2020 and officially embarked on his journey in the league. He had done it. He had turned his childhood dream of playing in the NBA to reality.
He hasn't looked back since. Currently in his third season in the NBA, Jae'Sean is looking forward to continuing making an impact on the court and fostering his legacy. Beyond the game, he is thrilled to pursue his passions within coffee, entrepreneurship, real estate, and mentorship in the years to come through his business ventures and community outreach initiatives. Through it all, one thing remains certain to Jae'Sean: with his work ethic, dedication, and resiliency, there is no challenge or obstacle that he can't overcome. He is...BUILT FOR IT!
Let’s start with your journey early on! You mentioned that you followed in your dad's footsteps and also played basketball at Ohio State. How was that transition from high school to college like for you?
I didn't have a real chance to really think about an adjustment. When I came in, I was thinking I would probably redshirt because my senior year I had shoulder surgery and I was still rehabbing all summer. We had a team full of seniors (as well)—I think we had eight seniors in our class—, and this was the team that went to a Final Four a few years back. So coming in, I'm just thinking that I'm gonna learn and get back healthy; and it didn't go that way. As soon as we came in, that class was Keita Bates-Diop, D'Angelo Russell, myself, and our teammate David Bell. I think we pretty much got playing time through the first few games, and by the end of it I was starting. I would just say the adjustment side on the basketball level was just (in) people being more physical, and the talent going up. We had some really good players, and the Big 10 is a physical conference. I'm a physical player so I kind of fit right into it when I got in there, but I just had to adjust to how many seven-footers were out there.
How do you think your game elevated throughout your four years at Ohio State to prepare you for the next level?
My first couple years I had a coach, Thad Matta—one of my favorite coaches of all time—, and he just puts so much confidence in his players. I think that's why he had a great role in me being where I am today. He had me in the post and I was just a naturally good post scorer. When he retired, my junior year, we got another brilliant coach and one of my favorite coaches as well. I got lucky and got two, which was Chris Holtmann. He came in and was like, “Look, you're a senior now and you are 6’3”-6’4”. At the next level, it is going to be tough to play in the post.” He ended up allowing me to play point guard my senior year so that made me a lot more comfortable with the ball. When I went overseas, I had a little bit of both. You know, I remember that senior year was very frustrating because I always found myself back down in the post (*laughs*). It was like, “You don't do that anymore, you’re a guard now.”
After your time in college, you embarked on your professional career. Take us through that journey. How was that transition from college into the world of professional basketball like for you?