NBA champion Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics is expected to join Team USA's Olympic basketball training camp Monday, despite missing its start due to personal reasons.
Jayson Tatum, the star forward of the NBA champion Boston Celtics, is set to join Team USA's Olympic basketball training camp Monday in Las Vegas. Tatum was excused from the camp's start on Saturday due to undisclosed personal reasons.
U.S. coach Steve Kerr announced that Tatum is expected to join the team for its third camp practice on Monday. The team's first exhibition match is scheduled for Wednesday against Canada, followed by a departure for a five-week international tour.
The tour includes two games in Abu Dhabi, two in London, and a final stop in Paris for the Olympic Games. Tatum, who is one of two Celtics on the U.S. team along with Jrue Holiday, is seeking his second Olympic gold medal after winning in Tokyo three years ago.
In the Tokyo Olympics, Tatum averaged 15.2 points per game, second only to Kevin Durant's 20.7 points. The Olympics come at the end of a whirlwind few months for Tatum.
In June, he helped the Celtics win their first NBA title since 2008. Shortly after the victory, he agreed to a league-record $314 million, five-year extension with Boston, keeping him with the franchise through the 2029-30 season.
"Jayson is a special person and player, and it's been a thrill for all of us to watch his entire journey in Boston," Celtics President Brad Stevens said. "He has embraced all that comes with being a great Celtic, and shows consistent and genuine care for every one of his teammates, coaches, and staff across the organization."
In the 2021-22 season, Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game for the Celtics. In his seven NBA seasons, he has averaged 23.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
Before the start of the U.S. camp, Tatum spent time in Las Vegas hosting his elite camp for select high school and college players. Fellow U.S. Olympian Bam Adebayo and NBA players Paolo Banchero and Chris Paul also participated in the camp.
With Tatum's arrival, Team USA will have nearly its full roster for its Olympic preparation. The squad is aiming for a fourth consecutive gold medal and a 16th overall in men's basketball. The Tokyo Games marked the first time Team USA had won consecutive golds since 1996 and 2000.
