NBA ALL-STAR RISING STARS

February 18, 2022

Jae'Sean Tate

Team Barry

Press Conference

Team Barry 25, Team Isiah 20

Q. How good did that feel, the game winner on the first game?

JAE'SEAN TATE: It felt great. You know, I felt like we got off to a slow start, as expected, but I think our staff just did a great job of saying, look, the team that plays serious is going to win, and we came out and did that.

Q. Did you make up your mind on that play that you were going to go take it to the hoop?

JAE'SEAN TATE: Yeah, I just saw an opportunity to get downhill, and, you know, once I get in there on that left side, I do what I do.

Q. How did you feel to have Josh [Christopher] and I think I saw Jalen [Green] as well after you made the bucket?

JAE'SEAN TATE: It was natural. It wasn't expected. Like, it just happened. Those are the best moments. I hope somebody captured that, because it wasn't planned, and it's just awesome to share those big moments with your teammates and the ones you go to battle with every day.

Q. I know we've talked about this about three or four times at least, but one more time: Can you step back and think, this is amazing how far you've come to now have this role here in that game?

JAE'SEAN TATE: Yeah. Like I keep saying, man, I'm just trying to be motivation to those guys that just got to get it out the mud. Those hard-nosed workers that believe they can be here. I'm the testimony that it can happen. With the right timing and the dedication and hard work.

Q. Can you talk about your sneakers.

JAE'SEAN TATE: These are custom kicks. I want to get back to you. Yeah. I want to get back to you because there's a lot of detail that goes into it, but basically, these LeBrons, I have been wearing since I was in college, and this is going to be my last year wearing them because they don't make them anymore, but this is a custom design that my agency developed with me. It says "Built in Ohio," and this one says "everything earned" because it kind of just tells my story. If you look close, there's detail about my whole life and where I've been and Ohio State and the NBA and then my experience. I want to talk to you more about that later. All right, cool.

Q. I'm from ESPN Australia. How much did the experience in the NBL help get you to where you are now?

JAE'SEAN TATE: It helped me a lot. I felt like the NBL was a kind of buffer into the style of play. Will Weaver, he kind of helped me get more comfortable in this style of play, this five-out offense, fast-paced, and you see, like, people that go to the NBL come over here are having so much success. LaMelo [Ball], [Josh] Giddey, Torrey Craig and myself. They're going to keep developing players.

One day I hope I can go back and be a part of it.

Q. Do you feel like you're a special brotherhood?

JAE'SEAN TATE: Oh, yeah, definitely. There's just that -- we might not be as close, buddy-buddy and talk every day, but when I see a former NBL guy, there's always something there.

Q. Do you miss Australia?

JAE'SEAN TATE: Oh, yeah. It's one of the best places I've ever lived, for sure.

Q. What do you miss the most?

JAE'SEAN TATE: Just the people, the weather. It's just different. It's just a vibe out there.

Q. Now I'm going to ask you about the shoes because Jeremy Loeliger, the Commissioner, gave me the tip that you have "NBL" on the kicks.

JAE'SEAN TATE: I have everything. I have "Buckeyes." I have "NBL." I have "Ohio State." "Built in Ohio." It just kind of tells my story, and the artist did a great job of just capturing exactly what I wanted, and came out great with the color waves and how it worked out with the uniforms and my warmup being red. He did a great job. I got to get more information for you guys because I got to give him credit.

Q. We are real pumped at the NBL that you used it.

JAE'SEAN TATE: Thank you.

Q. You guys were taking it serious it seemed.

JAE'SEAN TATE: Yeah, from the start of the meeting, you know, they just had a different feel than the rest of the groups. I mean, we were going over plays and concepts, while the other team was shooting half-court shots. I was all for it. You know I'm undrafted. Whenever there's money on the line, I'm with it.

No, it was still fun, and it was a great experience, and it's going to be one I never forget. Especially being in my hometown in front of my family and friends. Thanks, man. Appreciate it.