Jayson Tatum

 Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. (/'teIt^m/; born on March 3, 1998) is an American professional basketball player with the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was an McDonald's All-American high school basketball player from Missouri. In the 2017 NBA draft, the Boston Celtics selected Tatum with the third pick overall. Tatum was a three-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, Tatum was named the NBA Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player in 2022. He also was instrumental in helping the Celtics reach the NBA Finals. Tatum also earned a gold medal on the 2020 U.S. Olympic team in Tokyo Tatum attended Chaminade College Preparatory School in Creve Coeur, Missouri. Tatum averaged 13.3 points per game as a freshman and was awarded the Metro Catholic Conference Co Player of the Year for 2013. His efforts led the Red Devils (MCC) to the Missouri District 2 championships. He averaged 26.0 points per game as a sophomore in 2014. Tatum earned Second-team Naismith Trophy All American recognition. In summer 2015, Tatum joined the St. Louis Eagles Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team, which is part of the extremely competitive Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) Circuit. On July 11 the Eagles defeated the future Duke teammate Harry Giles and Team CP3 with a score of 74-73 at the Nike Peach Jam Semi-Finals with an exciting buzzer-beater that won the game to advance to the championship match, which Tatum finished the game with 28 points and 5 rebounds. Tatum scored 24 points, seven boards, and 4 blocks against the Georgia Stars on July 12. He was also the future Duke all-in Duke Wendell Carter Jr. in a 104 to 77 defeat. 4 During the Circuit, Tatum led the EYBL in scoring, averaging 26.5 points and 9.5 rebounds for each game.Prior to the start of his senior season, Tatum made a verbal commitment to Duke University over North Carolina, Kentucky, and his mother and father's school of choice, Saint Louis University. One of his senior year highlights was a 40-point, 17-rebound game that saw Duke beat 76-57 Bentonville High School and its Malik Monk, its star player, 46-point game against Huntington Prep and Miles Bridges at the Cancer Research Classic,[9] and the final 40-point game with DeMatha Catholic High School and future #1 NBA draft selection Markelle Fultz at the 2016 HoopHall Classic Tatum at the 2016 Jordan Brand ClassicAs a junior in the 2015-16 season, Tatum averaged 29.6 points and 9.1 rebound and had six 40-point games , while playing Chaminade to its second Missouri Class 5A state championship. Tatum was selected to the 2016 McDonald's All-American Game. He was the winner of the Skills competition and was the leader of the East Team with 18 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, in an 114-107 loss. In April, Tatum also played in the Jordan Brand Classic, where he scored 18 points in an 131-117 victory over the West team.Tatum was named the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year.