Tate Lauds NBL to NBA Pathway

Houston Rockets star Jae’Sean Tate has endorsed the NBL to NBA pathway, declaring more players will take that road to the association.

Tate dominated for the Sydney Kings in the 2019/20 season, being named to the league’s All-First Team after averaging 16.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

His strong NBL season helped him land a spot on the Rockets’ roster, where he has turned into a valuable player for Houston.

The 26-year-old says the pace and physicality of the NBL prepares players for the NBA, explaining how the two leagues are closely linked.

“It’s great. It shows that not only the NBL knows great talent and develops great talent, but it shows that we can play at the next level,” Tate told The Huddle.

“I think all the names you've said (Jock Landale, Josh Giddey, LaMelo Ball) have had success at the next level. That's a credit to what the NBL has brought to each of those players.

“It’s not a cupcake league, shoutout to (Corey) Homicide (Williams), and there'll be some more players that continue to make that jump from the NBL to the NBA.”

One player who Tate thinks has all the potential to make the NBA leap is his former Kings teammate Xavier Cooks.

“All he has got to do is continue to do what he's doing,” Tate said of Cooks.

“Those numbers sound great and phenomenal. They’ll find you. You just got to continue to go out there and perform and the right opportunity will come. I know that he'll be ready for it.”

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