Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate named to NBA’s All-Rookie First Team

Houston Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate was named Thursday to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team for the 2020-21 season, as voted on by over 100 media members from across the league.

With 57 first-team votes and 40 second-team votes for 154 total points, Tate edged out New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (51 first-team votes, 46 second-team votes, 148 points) for the final first-team spot.

Tate started 58 of his 70 games played this season, with both figures leading Houston’s roster. The 6-foot-5 lefty averaged 11.3 points (50.6% FG), 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 29.2 minutes per game, and was one of the team’s best and most versatile defenders, as well. Tate’s linebacker build allows him to hold his own versus traditional big men in the post, but he also moves well laterally against guards on the perimeter.

Late in the year, when guards John Wall and Kevin Porter Jr. had their seasons cut short by injury, Tate proved that he was also versatile on offense by showcasing his ball-handling and playmaking skills — as evidenced by an average of 4.4 assists over his final 17 games.

Some had feared that Tate’s case for an All-Rookie First-Team spot might be harmed by his team’s record, since Houston (17-55) finished with the NBA’s worst mark of the 2020-21 regular season. However, he had just enough votes to stay ahead of Quickley and earn the honor.

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