We all have embarrassing moments in our lives that we wish we could forget. When Jayson Tatum was in elementary school, he was the target of a prank that was so embarrassing that it would stay with him for years to come.
After a slow start to his basketball career, the Boston Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum has developed into one of the most exciting players in the league. Tatum’s career has been powered by self-motivation and the example of his mom, who supported him through some embarrassing moments in his childhood.
Last month, Jayson Tatum made history, becoming the first Boston Celtics player to be selected to the All-Star team in each of his first two seasons. This kid is also the first Celtics player to average 21 points per game since Antoine Walker in 2002, who played for the team for nearly a decade. To put it simply, he is one of the most talented Boston Celtics players in the past decade, and it is difficult to know where he will end up in the NBA’s hierarchy.
Jayson Tatum, who grew up in St. Louis, has faced hardship his whole life. In fourth grade, the Boston Celtics player experienced a humiliating event that molded him and served as inspiration for the rest of his life. Tatum is one of the best basketball players in the world, and the stern lesson aided him in reaching new heights.
Jayson Tatum’s fourth-grade instructor questioned his abilities.
Tatum spoke on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast to talk about basketball and his personal life. He shared a tale on the program that permanently altered his life.
He went to a private school in fourth grade. He was one of the few minorities in his class, and he frequently felt pressured to fit in with the majority of his peers. “We lived two very different lives,” Tatum said.
Tatum’s instructor assigned a paragraph to each pupil on what they wanted to be when they grew up. He wrote about his dreams of being a pro basketball player and appearing on television. “You have to choose something more realistic,” the instructor sneered at his answer.
The whole school burst out laughing at the teacher’s comment. Tatum said, “I was ashamed.” He told his mother, Brandy Cole, what had occurred in tears. His mother reminded him of something essential. “It doesn’t matter what other people think,” Cole added, as long as she supports and believes in Tatum.
Tatum has carried that lesson with him throughout his parenting experience. “You should constantly encourage your kids as a parent,” the two-time All-Star stated.
Coming out of high school, Jayson Tatum was a five-star recruit.
Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images | Boston Celtics swingman was a part of the US Men’s Olympic squad in Tokyo |
Tatum began proving his fourth-grade instructor incorrect as soon as he could. He then went on to dominate the AAU and prep circuits. In St. Louis, he attended Chaminade College Preparatory High School.
According to 247Sports, he was the No. 8 overall high school basketball recruit in the 2016 class. Lonzo Ball, DeAaron Fox, Harry Giles, and Bam Adebayo were among the top recruits in the class. Tatum was a highly regarded player who took part in the McDonald’s All-American Game.
Big-time college schools like Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan State, and North Carolina all offered him scholarships. Tatum eventually decided to join Mike Krzyzewski’s Duke team. He averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in one season at Duke. He was named to the ACC All-Freshman team and the All-ACC Tournament team.
The NBA was the next destination after navigating AAU, high school, and Duke’s one-and-done procedure.
Tatum is on his way to become a superstar in the NBA.
Tatum was selected third overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. He has proved to be the best player from that selection class over the course of four seasons.
He’s averaging 19.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists throughout his career. He was selected first team All-Rookie as a rookie. Tatum has improved his game and matured as a basketball player with each passing season.
In 2020, the 23-year-old had his greatest statistical season ever, averaging 26.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.
The Celtics have a long and illustrious history, and Tatum is already making his mark. He and Jaylen Brown are one of the league’s most promising young duos.
For most individuals, making the NBA is a pipe dream, but Jayson Tatum shows that there’s nothing wrong with having a “unrealistic” goal. He recalls his mother’s instruction and uses it to motivate him in the face of hardship.
Basketball Reference provided all stats.
Jayson Tatum Was Asked One Question By Kobe Bryant That He Is Still Trying to Answer
When Jayson Tatum was a kid, he had a tendency to get embarrassed really quickly. It happened so often, his mother decided it was time to teach him a lesson about being too sensitive during those embarrassing moments.. Read more about jayson tatum parents ethnicity and let us know what you think.
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