Tate Takes it to (VA) State

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Khalil Tate parlays brains, drive and a good jumper into a full ride.

May 14, 2010 - Owner of a 4.1 GPA and considerable deep shooting skill, Northwestern High School senior Khalil Tate took a visit down Interstate I-95 and then veered off to I-85 recently. That trip, all of maybe three hours each way, has become one of the biggest events in his life.

"I went down there on a visit, and I played really well down there" shared Tate Thursday of a recent tour of Virginia State University. "They made an offer. Everything was good".

Khalil Tate at his National Letter of Intent signing celebration Thursday. He's flanked by father George (right), AAU coach/mentor Lyndon 'Debelotte' Black (left) and Northwestern HS coach, Terrence Burks (standing).

He ended up visiting the Petersburg, VA-based institution based on the contacts of Lyndon 'Black' DeBellotte, Khalil's AAU coach with Kids First Basketball. "Coach Black put me on with the head coach, Coach George White" recalled Tate.

Virginia State holds allure to Khalil on several fronts.

"The thing I like about the school is they have a great business school and they play in the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association). That has a lot of history and tradition" he shared. "My father (George Tate) played at Howard when they were in the CIAA. So it's a family tradition also".

White was also appealling, as added Tate "One of the things that attracted me to the school is Coach White is a Harvard grad. He has alot of connections for graduate school".

Clearly Tate is forward thinking, even acknowledging the need to stay dialed in at State, given the school's prodigious social life. How does he plan to do that? "I'm going to stay focused the way I did when I was home. Though my parents are good role models, it was up to me" he revealed.

Basketball-wise, Khalil noted "I expect to go down there and work hard. To get in the rotation as quick as I can". To do that, the 6'2", 170 pound shooting guard plans continuing development of "my handle and mid-range game. And definitely getting stronger, for the college game".

This shooting guard's scholarship to Trojan-land is impressive, given it is comprised of academic, leadership award, and athletic aid.

"I'm looking to go down there and do big things" said Tate of his plans. He's a young man that seems poised to do just that.

(Archive article: ER Down Northwestern in 'Offs)