Jayson Tatum Takes on New Role in College Basketball
Boston Celtics star and former Duke Blue Devils player Jayson Tatum joins Duke’s basketball program in a voluntary advisory role, marking a new chapter in his relationship with the university. The official announcement, made on Tuesday, reveals that Tatum will hold the position of “Head of Basketball Operations.” He is currently recovering after suffering an Achilles tendon injury during the NBA playoffs in May. According to the institution, Tatum’s responsibilities will include visits to the team to discuss development, professionalism, and team culture. In addition, he will act as a mentor for athletes in areas such as career management, personal brand development, and time management as college athletes. Tatum will also participate in periodic virtual meetings with the team and will discuss the roster composition with coach Jon Scheyer. The Duke program is known for producing high-level talent for the NBA. Last Friday, Tatum was present at Duke’s “Countdown to Craziness” preseason event, ceremonially kicking off the season. Scheyer announced to the fans that Tatum would collaborate with the program in the coming months.Tatum, who was a “one-and-done” star for the Blue Devils during the 2016-17 season, was selected as the third overall pick in the draft. Subsequently, he became one of the league’s most prominent players and contributed to Boston’s championship victory in 2024.“This program has always been focused on driving the game,” Scheyer declared. “Jayson has been incredibly loyal to Duke since the day he committed, and this evolution represents the next step in how we connect The Brotherhood with the future of our players. Jayson is the ultimate professional. His ability to inspire, motivate, and guide our student-athletes is unmatched, and I am very excited to see the impact he will have on our team and our culture.”
Jon Scheyer
“This program means a lot to me, and I had an incredible experience here,” Tatum said. “I watch every game, I come back whenever I can, and I connect with Coach Scheyer often. Having the opportunity to formalize my relationship with the program and expand my ability to impact the players and the culture means a lot to me. As former players, we all share the responsibility of supporting the next generation of Duke Basketball.”
Jayson Tatum
