PARIS, France — Fans across the country were disappointed on Sunday when Team USA's head coach didn't think to put in a basketball star from St. Louis.
Jayson Tatum, a grad from Creve Coeur's Chaminade College Preparatory School, recently signed the richest contract in NBA history, but that wasn't enough for Team USA coach Steve Kerr to think of playing him during the team's first game at the Paris Olympics.
Kerr has since kicked himself, calling himself an "idiot," for not playing Tatum, even after the team's win.
"Jayson's the ultimate pro, a champion, he handled it well and he'll be ready for the next one," Kerr said.
Kerr even confirmed that Tatum will for sure get on the court during the team's next game at 2 p.m. Wednesday against South Sudan.
"Jayson will play (Wednesday)," Kerr told ESPN. "I'm not going to answer your next question, which is if he plays, who doesn't. But we're going to need him, and part of this job for me is to keep everybody engaged and ready, because my experience with this is crazy stuff happens."
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.