Flashback Friday: Jayson Tatum Was A Budding Star In Middle School [VIDEO]
By John ‘The Dude’ Hardiman, 985TheSportsHub.com
Before being drafted third overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2017 NBA Draft and before becoming a Duke Blue Devil, Jayson Tatum was already budding into a super star.
Upon cruising the internet, I came across this middle school video of Tatum, schooling up youngsters in various basketball programs. And you can’t help but to be amazed by his handle, shot selection and vision at such a young age.
This kid is a prodigy.
He has to be between the ages of 12 and 14 during this video and it’s just mind blowing how good he was then. And really, how great he’s becoming today in the NBA.
This dude has a real good chance at taking home this year’s “Rookie of the Year” award.
But chances are it’ll be Donovan Mitchell who takes home ROTY honors.
So here’s your chance to check out his highlight mix-tape below:
Any scout that watched this back-in-the-day must have been drooling over this kid.
I know if I was coaching I’d be taking him with my first pick every day that ends in “day.”
In his rookie year, Tatum averaged 13.9 points, five rebounds and 1.6 assists through 30.5 minutes-per-game.
He finished the year shooting 47.5 percent from the field, 43.4 percent from three and 82.6 percent from the line in 80 games for the Celtics.
During his first playoff run, the rookie stepped up his game for a Kyrie Irving and Gordon Haywards-less Celtics.
Boston – Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) dunks and scores against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the fourth quarter in game seven of the Eastern conference finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
By the end of a 19-game playoff run, which came to end after falling to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Tatum was putting up some serious numbers.
He scored more than 20 points in 10 games, and finished the playoffs averaging 18.5 points-per-game on 47.1 percent shooting from the field and 32.4 percent from deep. In addition to 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 35.9 minutes-per-game.
Here’s a piece of advice: Watch out for Tatum’s sophomore 2018-2019 season. It’s going to be EPIC!
John Hardiman is a Digital Producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for John? Hit him up on Twitter @HardiDude or e-mail him at [email protected].
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