BOSTON — Duke University has enlisted Boston Celtics forward and former Blue Devils standout Jayson Tatum to guide its men’s basketball program while he recovers from a ruptured right Achilles tendon.
The school said Tuesday that the six-time NBA All-Star will serve in an unpaid advisory position titled “chief basketball officer.” In that role, Tatum will visit the team in person to discuss player development, professionalism and culture, and will mentor athletes on career planning, personal branding and time management.
Tatum is also expected to join periodic virtual meetings and confer with head coach Jon Scheyer on roster construction. Duke’s pipeline to the NBA remains strong, most recently producing 2025 No. 1 draft pick and Associated Press national college player of the year Cooper Flagg.
The 27-year-old attended Duke’s “Countdown to Craziness” preseason event last Friday, where Scheyer told fans Tatum would be involved throughout the coming months.
“Jayson has been incredibly loyal to Duke since the day he committed,” Scheyer said in a statement. “His ability to inspire, motivate, and guide our student-athletes is unmatched.”
Tatum played one season at Duke in 2016-17 before entering the NBA as the No. 3 overall pick. He has since become one of the league’s elite players and was instrumental in Boston’s 2024 championship run.
“This program means so much to me,” Tatum said in the announcement. “To formalize my relationship with Duke and broaden my ability to impact the players and culture means the world to me.”
Source: ESPN
