ST. LOUIS — Jayson Tatum, fresh off winning the 2024 NBA Championship, is heading to Paris with Team USA for the Paris Olympics.
Tatum is one of five players competing in a second consecutive Olympic Games, according to USA Basketball's website. In addition to his recent title, Tatum owns an Olympic gold from the 2020 Games and gold medals from the 2013 FIBA U16 Americas Championship, the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship, and the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship.
He'll make his Paris Olympics debut at 4 a.m. CDT on July 28 in USA vs. Serbia.
Here are five things you should know about him ahead of the Games:
- The 26-year-old Olympian is a St. Louis native. His father, Justin, played basketball for St. Louis University and professionally in the Netherlands.
- He attended Chaminade College Preparatory School in Creve Coeur, where he was named the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American. He also led Chaminade to its second state championship during his senior year.
- Tatum attended Duke University for a year, where he ranked fourth in made free throws, fifth in rebounds, and fourth in free throw percentage among all college players.
- He was drafted into the NBA in 2017 during his freshman year at Duke by the Boston Celtics as the team's third overall pick. He has since played seven seasons with the team, leading them to their 18th NBA Championship in 2024.
- He's also been named an NBA All-Star, three-time All-NBA First Team, All-NBA Third Team, NBA All-Rookie First Team, and two-time NBA Rising Star.