Tate Chang: CONSISTENCY

The Consistency Behind Tate Chang's Game

Written by Terence Yee

During a Thursday morning workout, 12-year-old Tate Chang catches a pass from Kenny Hatch in the left corner, plants his feet, and rises into a shot.

The ball leaves his fingertips with perfect backspin.

Swish.

Another.

And another.

Three straight makes.

It's a simple word that defines his approach to basketball: consistency.

According to The San Francisco Standard, Jeff Chang was searching for someone to help his son improve his ball-handling skills when he discovered Hatch on social media. The relationship eventually grew beyond basketball. Jeff became Hatch's business partner, and the two now operate a basketball training facility at 600 Indiana St. in San Francisco's Dogpatch neighborhood.

Tate and Hatch have completed almost 900 workouts together since they first connected three and a half years ago. 

“[Kenny] really helps me get better as a basketball player,” Tate said. 

Tate naturally fits the role of a pass-first point guard. He enjoys creating opportunities for his Lakeshow AAU teammates as much as scoring himself. He has developed a reputation as a high-IQ point guard who sees the floor well. Hatch believes Tate’s passing ability is what separates him.

“His ability to pass with both hands as a seventh grader is incredible,” Hatch said. “He passes better than a lot of college players currently, as crazy as that sounds.”

Under Hatch's guidance, Tate continues refining his shooting, passing and ball-handling while developing the decision-making skills that define great point guards.

“As a point guard at his size, we’re teaching him how to handle the ball with pressure, how his feet need to be set up, understanding how to get into his shots out of action, and playing the pick-and-roll,” Hatch said. “Along with the fundamental basketball IQ lessons, like how to read defenders and recognize help-side defense.”

Tate started playing basketball at age seven. One of his earliest basketball memories is shooting around with his father.

“I love playing basketball because it helps me bond with my father and allows me to hang out with my friends,” he said. “I’m also very competitive and love playing against other players.” 

A typical training week for Tate varies depending on the time of year. On average, it consists of two team practices and three to four individual training sessions each week.

Tate says his commitment to consistency stems in part from his family's philosophy of working hard and maximizing their potential.

“I’m motivated to stay disciplined because my goal is to play varsity basketball as a freshman,” he said. “It’s important for me to play every day, no matter what, and ingrain this mindset early in my life.” 

To achieve those goals, Tate said continuing to build strength is one of his biggest priorities.

Outside of the gym, Tate will enter seventh grade at Stuart Hall for Boys this fall, where he also takes pride in the classroom.

“I'm pretty good at school,” he said. “I like math and reading.” 

If nearly 900 workouts have taught him anything, it's that improvement isn't built in one spectacular day. It's built through hundreds of ordinary ones—one workout, one shot, and one day of consistency at a time.