Jayson Tatum had a challenging experience during the Olympics, even as he celebrated winning a gold medal. The Boston Celtics star spent a significant amount of time on the bench throughout the five games, which was particularly frustrating for him. Despite limited playing time, Tatum has stated that his decision to participate in the 2028 Olympic Games will not be influenced by his experiences this year.
Tatum expressed that while the on-court experience was difficult, he would approach future decisions rationally rather than emotionally. He emphasized that he needed to take his time to consider whether he would play in four years, stressing that he wouldn’t base his choice on how he felt during this Olympic run.
Joining Team USA after clinching an NBA championship with the Celtics, Tatum found himself sidelined for two out of six Olympic matches. Coach Steve Kerr opted to keep him on the bench during a semifinal game against Serbia, even as the team struggled defensively—an area where Tatum typically excels.
In the final match against France, Tatum played 11 minutes, contributing two points and three rebounds. Reflecting on his Olympic journey, Tatum acknowledged the prestigious achievement of winning a second gold medal, stating that he did not want his personal situation to overshadow the team’s success.
He also noted that this Olympic experience served as a valuable learning opportunity. Tatum shared that many people reached out to encourage him to use this experience as motivation, which he appreciated. While he recognized the importance of using challenges to propel oneself forward, he admitted the emotional toll of the situation was still significant. Tatum concluded that despite the difficulties, he intends to learn from this experience, describing it as both challenging and humbling.