“Selfless Not Selfish” Tate Has Worked His Way to George Mason

Ron Bailey, Publisher

November 22, 2006 - During DeMatha Catholic High School’s recent signing day ceremony, the school’s coach, Mike Jones, called Isaiah Tate “a program player”. Far from a slight, that label should portend good things for George Mason University's basketball program - his future college home.

“He came in as a freshman and played freshman basketball, and was one of the better players on the team. Played J.V. his sophomore year, and was one of the better players on the team” said Jones, when defining what a program player is, at DeMatha. “And he really did a lot to develop his game last year as a junior – his first year on varsity. He’s slated to be one of our starters this year”.

Isaiah shared after the event he is proud of the journey. “It’s taken a lot of work. I’ve been working, grinding hard, since freshman year, coming up through freshman and J.V., and now varsity” he recounted. “I’ve played with a lot of great players, and now all the hard work just pays off”.

Tate, shown here outside of DeMatha, is a young man of diverse interests, including music - of which he loves Go-Go - and of course basketball. The latter almost didn't get started. "My first time playing, I was seven or eight at the Kettering Boys and Girls Club. Coach Mark Lyers was coach. If he had cut me then, I might not be where I am today" noted Tate.

This athletic swingman, standing close to 6’5” and weighing around 190lbs, indicated the Mason staff will “have me playing the two (shooting guard) or three (small forward)” when he hits campus next fall.

Such utilization dovetails nicely into this senior’s self-identified strong points. “I think my strengths are shooting, and I can get up and down the court” stated Isaiah. “I can play defense pretty well.

“I can come off screens, but I like to catch and shoot or dribble and pull up” he continued. “I also like to get up and grind, fastbreak style”.

Those attributes were on display this summer during Nike Pro City action. A summer league with both high school and older competition, the yearly event – also known as the Kenner League – is perennially tough, and Tate proved himself one of the better players in its high school division. His performance against fellow Washington Catholic Athletic Conference member St. Mary’s Ryken was exceptionally inspired, as he not only scored and filled lanes, but played some point guard (Click here for a brief recap).

This year, Tate has determined he will “work on my quickness”; having the effect of better improving his defense. Isaiah also indicated his dribbling will be improved, as “you can always work on that”. Additionally, the young man will continue drilling with coaches to maintain and improve his jump shot.

According to Tate, George Mason was chosen over offers from “American University, Fordham, Richmond” along with Columbia and “a couple of A-10 schools and Ivy League schools”.

Both athletic and academic concerns, informed his choice. “It opened my eyes to what they were doing” said Tate regarding George Mason’s historic run to the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four, last year. “It played a big factor in my decision”.

As did his present plan to eventually attend law school. “I’m thinking of majoring in business, sports management, or something like that” before graduate school, he said. Isaiah then has designs on attending Mason’s law school once his playing days are over.

Isaiah and his family (center), think George Mason provides the best mix of future academic and athletic opportunities

His mother, Luvetta Tate, is very pleased with her son’s decision. “Once he went to George Mason and talked to their coaches and went around campus, he was really excited” said Mrs. Tate.

“Yes I really do” she responded, when asked if she supported the choice. “I was prepared to attend his home games wherever he chose. Now I don’t make special arrangements” (given the school’s close proximity to their Prince George’s County Maryland home).

This season at DeMatha, the team is poised to contend for a national championship, and as a starter, Jones, the school’s coach, shared “and we are looking for big games from him”.

So does DeMatha’s longtime assistant coach, Reggie Veney. “His role will be much bigger than it was last year” said Veney. “He’s going to have to score. He’s going to have to play defense. He’s going to have to rebound. He’s going to have to do everything”.

Add his ongoing locker room presence to what Tate has been and will bes, expected to provide. “He’s always positive in the locker room. He’s always like ‘We are going to do this, we are going to get this done”, supplied Veney.

First year DeMatha assistant coach Dave Adkins thinks Tate’s future is bright. “He has a chance to be a very high level player, with continued skill development” opined Adkins. “He has a strong body, good shooting form, ability to finish at the rim, and with continued dedication, could be an excellent defender” at the college level.

Life is good, for Isaiah Tate: Through hard work, he has positioned himself not only to start on a high school team that went 34-1 last season and is on the short list of national championship contenders, but has earned a full ride to George Mason University.

“I’ve always been willing to work hard, and do whatever the coach says” shared Tate. Veney would label him “selfless, not selfish”.

Isaiah’s is a tale that should be told to all young players. And the best thing about it is, he has several additional chapters to write.