Jayson Tatum, star forward for the Boston Celtics, emphasized that his experience with Team USA during the summer’s gold medal run at the 2024 Paris Olympics will not influence his decision regarding participation in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
During the Paris games, Tatum played a limited role, coming off the bench and logging only 11 minutes in the final match against France, where Team USA won 98-87, securing its fifth consecutive gold medal. He contributed just two points and three rebounds in that game, having shot 1-of-3 from the field. Tatum did not participate in either of the games against Serbia, including a significant comeback win in the semifinals, with coach Steve Kerr attributing his absence to matchup considerations rather than performance issues.
Other Team USA members also faced similar situations; Joel Embiid did not play against South Sudan, while Derrick White did not see the court against France. Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton sat out three of the six games, yet celebrated his gold medal achievement.
Tatum, who averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists during the last NBA season and helped the Celtics secure the championship, acknowledged the challenges of having a reduced role with the national team. Reflecting on the experience, he stated, “I think the tough part is…I’ve sacrificed and put a lot into this game and work really, really hard. So in the moment, it is tough. It’s definitely challenging and humbling at the same time.”
Looking ahead, Tatum is aware that the dynamic of Team USA may change significantly by the time the Los Angeles Olympics arrive in four years, especially with veteran players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry likely retiring. Despite any frustrations from his experience in Paris, Tatum plans to approach future decisions with careful consideration.