LeVon Tate

Forward
6’5”, 195 lbs
High School:  Siegel High School, Murfreesboro, TN
AAU/Travel Team:  Nashville Celtics

LeVon Tate heads into the 2009-10 high school basketball season after a very successful 2009 AAU season.  Tate’s team, the Nashville Celtics, won the River City Showdown in Memphis by beating a Memphis Magic Elite team that featured several high major prospects including Memphis commit Joe Jackson (Rivals 2010 #12 prospect), Tarik Black (Rivals 2010 #47 prospect), Chris Crawford (Rivals #66 prospect), and Adonis Thomas (Scout 2011 #2 SF prospect).  Our friend Clark Merriam at MemphisRoar.com, an independent site for The University of Memphis athletics and an ESPN affiliate, had this to say about Tate’s performance at the River City Showdown.

“A force to be reckoned with down low, Tate was often the hardest worker on the court.  Fighting for rebounds, altering opponent’s shots, and not giving up on any plays, Tate provided some great play that tended to be overlooked by most.  Tate provided good put-backs and displayed some good post play.”

In addition to their championship in Memphis, the Celtics also reached the semifinals of the String Music Classic in Nashville, the Round of 8 at the Adidas Super 64 in Las Vegas, and the Round of 16 at the Real Deal in the Rock in Arkansas.  They also performed well at the Wallace Prather Memorial Tournament in Georgia, making it through pool play and winning a game in bracket play despite not having Florida commit Casey Prather, Minnesota commit Austin Hollins, and an up-and-coming star in Kedren Johnson.

At 6’5” and 195 pounds, LeVon is an undersized forward but what he lacks in size he makes up for with effort.  “I think he is the best rebounder in his class, the 2010 class, in the state of Tennessee,” said Nashville Celtics Head Coach and Austin Peay alumnus Charles Clark.  “He’s long, agile, and athletic.  He gets every rebound against a 6’10”, or another kid his height, or an athletic guy, or a big slug that’s just pushing him around.  He gets more balls and rebounds than anybody.”

Relentless rebounder.  Hardest worker on the court. 6’5”.  Starting to sound a little like former OVC Player of the Year Drake Reed.  Here is what Coach Clark had to say when asked about the comparison.

“I think he’s more skilled than Drake from the standpoint that Drake was self-made.  He really got in the gym and worked and worked to get to where he was.  I think LeVon comes in with a little more skill and definitely more athletic ability.  If he gets Drake’s work ethic, he could definitely get to that level.  But not a lot of kids have Drake’s work ethic.  He worked his tail off.  But LeVon could be that workhorse type of player.”

Just to clarify, Coach Clark’s comments were comparing LeVon to Drake as an incoming freshman.  Like most young players, Tate will have to develop and improve all aspects of his game before he can even be mentioned in the same breath as the Drake Reed that finished his career with three straight First Team All-OVC Selections, but the young man does have potential.

Defensively, Tate’s athletic ability and versatility allow him to guard three positions.  “He can guard a three, four, or a five man.  Especially in the OVC where he’s dealing with undersized post guys,” Coach Clark said.  His non-stop motor and rebounding prowess may allow Tate to contribute immediately.  He could be used to rest starters, providing valuable rebounds and fouls off the bench.  To do this though, LeVon will have to hit the weightroom.

Coach Clark describes Tate’s offensive game as developing.  “He scores well with his back to the basket.  He passes well and shoots the midrange jumper really well too.”  Some schools may overlook LeVon because he is not the first option on either his high school team or AAU team.  The featured player on his Siegel High School team is Kerry Hammonds II.  Hammonds was a finalist for the Class AAA Mr. Basketball award this past season and has offers from Tulane, Richmond, and Middle Tennessee State.  When playing with the guard-heavy Nashville Celtics, LeVon deferred to players like previously mentioned Casey Prather, Austin Hollins, and Division II Class A Mr. Basketball finalist Meiko Lyles. This shows that Tate, while talented, is a team player who will do whatever he can to help the team.

When playing on a team with guys who can do this (video features Casey Prather, but Tate is #42 in green), or playing against guys who can do this, it is easy to see how a coach may miss the guy down low busting his tail and pulling down rebounds.  Several schools have reached out to Tate, including East Tennessee State which has been the most active.  Belmont University, David Lipscomb University, Savannah State, and Middle Tennessee State have all shown some interest.  Carson-Newman College, a Division II school, has also been in contact with Tate.  According to Coach Clark, there is mutual interest between Austin Peay and Tate.  The level of this interest and what becomes of it remains to be seen.  What is known though, is whoever lands LeVon will be getting a relentless rebounder and defender with a tremendous amount of potential.

Discussion for this feature can be found at this link.

http://www.apsugovs.com/messageboards/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=22

*ASPUGovs.com is an independent site, not affiliated with Austin Peay State University in anyway.

*All images are from the Siegel High School athletic website.
*We would like to thank Coach Clark for taking the time to speak with us.