Prospect Spotlight: Tate Bear (2019)
An underrated prospect in Iowa’s Class of 2019, 6-foot-3 forward Tate Bear is long, athletic and very much available.
The Meskwaki Settlement School senior is a versatile player, with a knack for rebounding and blocking shots in the post, but also an ability to play from the perimeter.
“I’m a slasher and I like to come off the wing. My high school team, they need a big-man, so when I play for school I play in the post,” said Bear.
“This offseason, me and my dad were in the gym a lot and I was working on my shot. And I feel really comfortable anywhere out on the floor,” said Bear. “What I need to work on most is ball-handling, quickness and keeping up with guards defensively.”
Bear spent his spring and summer playing with Iowa Intensity 17U, “AAU was great, I really liked playing with them It was kind of a bummer not winning a lot of games, but it was fun,” he said.
Now, he’s prepping for his senior season with the with the Warriors. And after averaging 15.5 points, 9.3 rebounds and a block per game last season, he’s ready to make an even larger impact this winter.
“I think I could step up and fill Jarius (Bear’s) spot. He took and made a lot of 3s, and I really improved at that this offseason, and I think I can do that now,” said Bear. “We have a lot of young guys, but they’re pretty good, and they should be able to step up and keep our level of play up.”
The recruitment, it’s been slow, but Bear is definitely a guy worth looking at in Iowa’s strong 2019 class.
“It’s been kind of slow, I’ve had a few letters here and there, but nothing major yet,” said Bear.
William Penn, Central, Augustana and Southwest Minnesota State have sent him mail. He’s been working hard to make his college hoops aspirations a reality.
“I didn’t go out for football, so I could keep lifting and work on my game and get bigger, faster and stronger,” said Bear. “I just hope it all pays off.”