Quick Facts
Biographical Information
Jayson Tatum is an American basketball player recognized for his exceptional scoring ability, versatility, and leadership. Since entering the NBA in 2017, Tatum has become one of the league’s top forwards, known for his offensive game.
Tatum is connected to his hometown of St. Louis and has been involved in various charitable activities, particularly those supporting youth in his community, including the Jayson Tatum Foundation.
Olympic Highlights
Tatum represented Team USA in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, as a key component to the team’s offense. He played six games in the Tokyo 2020 Games, averaging 15.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game, achieving his first gold medal.
Tatum was also selected for Team USA in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He played in the final against France, helping Team USA secure the gold medal. He averaged 5.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game.
NBA Highlights
Tatum was drafted third overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2017 NBA Draft and immediately helped lead the team to the Eastern Conference Finals in his rookie season. He has developed into one of the league’s premier players, earning multiple All-Star selections and leading the Celtics deep into the playoffs. In 2022, he was named the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, and in 2024, he led the Boston Celtics to their 18th NBA Championship.
Early Career
Tatum attended Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis where he was a McDonald’s All-American and earned Gatorade National Player of the Year honors. During his high school career, Tatum played in the 2014 FIBA Under-17 World Championship and 2015 FIBA Under-19 World Championship games, winning two gold medals.
Tatum played one season of college basketball at Duke University before being drafted by the NBA. He averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in the 2016-2017 season, leading the Blue Devils to the ACC Tournament Championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Olympic Experience
- 2-time Olympian; 2-time Olympic medalist (2 gold)
- Olympic Games Paris 2024, gold (Team - Men)
- Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, gold (Team - Men)
World Championships Experience
- Most recent: 2019 – 7th
- Years of participation: 2019
- Top finish: 7th – 2019