Duke is getting assist from former Blue Devils participant and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum.
The varsity introduced Tuesday that the six-time NBA All-Star would serve in a volunteer advisory position for this system as “chief basketball officer.” Tatum is at present recovering from a ruptured proper Achilles tendon suffered in Might through the NBA playoffs.
In its launch, the varsity mentioned Tatum’s duties will embrace in-person visits with the group to debate improvement, professionalism and group tradition, in addition to mentoring athletes in areas resembling profession administration, constructing a private model or managing time calls for as a school athlete.
Tatum may even examine in with periodic digital group conferences or talk about roster development with coach Jon Scheyer at a program that usually produces high-level NBA expertise, together with 2025’s No. 1 draft choose and Related Press nationwide faculty participant of the 12 months Cooper Flagg.
Tatum attended Duke’s “Countdown to Craziness” preseason occasion Friday in a ceremonial kickoff to the season, with Scheyer telling followers that Tatum would help this system within the months forward.
“This program has at all times been about pushing the sport ahead,” Scheyer mentioned in Tuesday’s assertion. “Jayson has been extremely loyal to Duke for the reason that day he dedicated, and this evolution represents the subsequent step in how we join The Brotherhood to the way forward for our gamers. Jayson is the last word skilled.
“His potential to encourage, inspire, and information our student-athletes is unmatched, and I couldn’t be extra excited to see the influence he may have on our group and our tradition.”
Tatum was a one-and-done star for the Blue Devils through the 2016-17 season earlier than transferring on to change into the No. 3 draft choose. Tatum blossomed into one of many NBA’s high gamers and helped Boston win the 2024 championship.
“This program means a lot to me, and I had an unbelievable time right here,” Tatum mentioned in an announcement. “I already watch each sport, come again each time I can, and join with Coach Scheyer typically. To have the possibility to formalize my relationship with this system and broaden my potential to influence the gamers and tradition means the world to me.
“As former gamers, all of us share the duty of supporting the subsequent era of Duke Basketball.”
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