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The Rockets may not have won a whole lot this season, but one Houston Rockets player is taking home some hardware.
Jae’Sean Tate was named to the All-Rookie First Team Thursday evening.
2020-21 NBA All-Rookie teams:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 18, 2021
First team: LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Saddiq Bey, Jae'Sean Tate
Second team: Immanuel Quickley, Desmond Bane, Isaac Okoro, Isaiah Stewart, Patrick Williams
Tate joins LaMelo Ball (Hornets), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Kings) and Saddiq Bey (Pistons) on the First Team.
Tate, 25, averaged 11.3 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game in his first NBA season, while also showing significant prowess on the defensive end.
Tate is the first Rocket since Luis Scola in 2007-08 to make an All-Rookie team. He’s also the first undrafted player to be on the First Team since Gary Neal did so with the Spurs back in 2010.
While Tate did not get any Rookie of the Year votes, he still received enough votes to snag the final spot on the Rookie First Team.
Tate is a crucial part of the Rockets plan moving forward and it’s nice to see him get the recognition he deserves after a strong rookie campaign.