Jayson Tatum, the prominent American professional basketball player currently representing the Boston Celtics in the NBA, has risen to prominence since his collegiate days as a Duke Blue Devil.
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Tatum has become one of the league’s brightest young talents, boasting a four-time NBA All-Star status, two All-NBA selections, and an Olympic gold medal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Despite these achievements, the pursuit of an NBA championship remains a driving force, with Tatum’s Boston Celtics coming close but falling short in the 2022 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. In this article, we delve into Jayson Tatum’s net worth in 2023.
Born on March 3, 1998, in St. Louis, Missouri, Jayson Christopher Tatum Sr. is the son of Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole. His father, Justin Tatum, boasts a basketball background, having played at Saint Louis University before pursuing a career as a gym teacher and basketball coach at various institutions in St. Louis. His mother, Brandy, graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law and currently practices law in the St. Louis area.
Jayson Tatum’s basketball lineage includes being the godson of former NBA player Larry Hughes, a former high school and college teammate of his father. Additionally, he is the cousin of former NBA player and current Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue.
Tatum’s basketball journey began at Chaminade College Preparatory School in Creve Coeur, Missouri, where he demonstrated early promise. During his freshman year, he averaged 13.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game and was honored as the 2013 Metro Catholic Conference Co-Player of the Year. In his sophomore year, he elevated his game significantly, averaging 26 points and 11 rebounds per game.
His junior year saw him continue to excel, averaging 25.9 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, and he joined the St. Louis Eagles AAU team for the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL). Tatum’s performance in the league was remarkable, leading in scoring with an average of 26.5 points per game and 9.5 rebounds.
Prior to his senior year, Tatum committed to Duke University over other prestigious programs like North Carolina and Kentucky. In his final high school season, he posted remarkable averages of 29.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, securing six 40-point games and guiding Chaminade to the Missouri Class 5A state championship.
Tatum’s outstanding high school career earned him a spot in the 2016 McDonald’s All-American Game, where he won the skills competition and emerged as the leading scorer for the East team with 18 points. He also made an impact in the Jordan Brand Classic, leading his team to victory. Notably, he was honored as the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Despite his impressive high school journey, Tatum encountered a brief setback in his collegiate career when he suffered a foot injury that sidelined him for the first eight games of the 2016-2017 season. He made his debut for the Duke Blue Devils on December 3, 2016, contributing 10 points in a resounding 94-55 victory over Maine.
During his college tenure, Tatum played a pivotal role in leading the Blue Devils to victory in the ACC Tournament Championship, where he was named to the All-ACC Tournament team with averages of 22 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. Despite Duke’s high hopes, they exited the NCAA Tournament in the second round after a loss to South Carolina. In his 29 games with Duke, Tatum averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
In the 2017 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics selected Jayson Tatum with the No. 3 overall pick, a momentous occasion that propelled him into the professional ranks. He signed his rookie contract, valued at $30 million over four years, a pivotal step in shaping his financial standing in 2023.