Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum arrives at USA Basketball with a sense of mastery

“What’s up, master?”

This easy, three-word greeting has been music to Jayson Tatum’s ears for the reason that Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA championship. And this privileged phrase sounds even higher coming out of your esteemed USA Basketball teammates.

“Guys who have won championships understand that feeling, what it’s like, what it takes,” Tatum told Andscape. “Every time they see me, they’re like, ‘What’s up, champ?’ It’s definitely good to hear that from your peers.”

Being an NBA champion going to the Olympics also means more basketball miles and a shorter offseason, which Tatum said is a “big dealbreaker” when playing within the Paris Olympics for USA Basketball.

Tatum averaged 35.7 minutes per game in 74 regular-season games for the Celtics last season and was fourth within the NBA in minutes played (768.4). The 26-year-old also played probably the most on the team, 40.4 minutes per game, in 19 postseason games en path to the title. The Celtics won the 2024 NBA championship on June 17.

USA Basketball began training for the Olympics July 7 in Las Vegas. Tatum was cleared to come back July 8 for private reasons, rest and to sign a massive latest five-year, $313 million contract, USA Basketball CEO Grant Hill told Andscape. After two practices, Tatum scored eight points in 17 minutes off the bench throughout the U.S.’s 86-72 exhibition win over Canada on July 10 in Las Vegas. Tatum scored seven points, had five assists and 4 rebounds as a starter in 21 minutes of the team’s 98-92 exhibition win over Australia on Monday in Abu Dhabi.

Given Team USA’s roster includes 12 NBA stars, there likely won’t be a need for anyone to play most of the sport on most nights.

“It definitely feels weird going out there and playing,” Tatum said after the Canada game. “It’s definitely going to take me a little bit to get my rhythm and get my strength back. Mentally, it’s good. It’s good to be around these guys again. You think you’re going to exit here and loosen up. But as soon as you get back within the gym and lace up, I would like to get back into that mode…

“This is USA Basketball. We have 12 great guys that we’re trying to get going. We have to figure out how coach is going to play us. You have to be ready for incredible things. We just have to understand that we have a good team. When you’re out there, do your thing. When you’re not out there, cheer on your teammates.”

Tatum is a USA Basketball veteran who won gold medals at the delayed 2020 Olympics, 2015 FIBA ​​U19 World Championship, 2014 FIBA ​​U17 World Championship and 2013 FIBA ​​U16 Americas Championship. Asked if he was fearful about Tatum being drained, Hill, 51, joked that he was more fearful about his own fatigue than someone nearly half his age.

“Jayson has been a part of USA Basketball since high school,” Hill told Andscape. “A man who won gold medals at the junior level, played within the World Cup. He won a gold medal in 2021. He’s had a lot happening for him within the last month.

“We knew he would be ready and that he would be a professional. He’s super committed, even when he’s away from us. We connected with him and made sure the message we had as a team was conveyed to him. He’s not only a guy who can help us win this summer, but he can help us win for years to come.”

Tatum just isn’t the one Celtics player on the U.S. Olympic roster, as he shall be joined by Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. White was a late substitute for injured forward Kawhi Leonard, who withdrew from the team on July 10. The roster doesn’t include Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, who expressed disappointment on social media when he was not added following Leonard’s departure.

Tatum told Andscape last week that he had not spoken to Brown but was thrilled to have his two Celtics teammates join him.

“We’re adding more championship DNA to the roster,” Tatum said.

In 1992, U.S. basketball stars Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, who played for the Chicago Bulls, became the primary NBA players to win an Olympic gold medal and a championship in the identical 12 months. LeBron James won the NBA title with the Miami Heat in 2012 and a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics. In 2016, Kyrie Irving won an NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers and an Olympic gold medal. Holiday and Khris Middleton also won a title with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 and a gold medal at the delayed 2020 Olympics that very same 12 months.

By winning the gold medal in Paris, Tatum and White would join the list of NBA champions and Olympic gold medalists. Holiday and James would turn out to be the one players to achieve this twice.

“It’s going to be a hell of a year. A hell of a summer. I have no complaints,” Tatum said.