Jayson Tatum’s experience at the Olympics was a mixed bag, as the Boston Celtics star won a gold medal but spent a significant portion of the tournament on the bench. Despite being part of Team USA, Tatum’s playing time was limited by coach Steve Kerr, who chose to keep him out for much of the last five games.
Looking ahead, Tatum stated that his decision about participating in the 2028 Olympic Games will not be influenced by this year’s experience. He emphasized the importance of not making decisions based on emotional reactions. “It was a tough personal experience on the court, but I’m not going to make any decision off emotions,” Tatum remarked. “If you asked me right now if I was going to play in 2028—it is four years from now, and I would have to take time and think about that.”
Having recently completed an NBA championship season with the Celtics, Tatum found himself sidelined for two of the six games played by the United States. During the semifinal match against Serbia, he was notably left on the bench even as the team struggled with perimeter defense, an area where he typically excels. In the final against France, Tatum clocked just 11 minutes, contributing two points and three rebounds.
Despite the challenges, Tatum expressed gratitude for earning another gold medal and was careful not to let his personal difficulties overshadow the team’s accomplishments. He characterized this Olympic journey as a valuable learning opportunity.
Tatum acknowledged the support he received from friends and family, who encouraged him to use this experience as motivation. “There’s a lot of people that care about me,” he noted. “The tough part is yes, you can use things to fuel you, but I’m still human.” He reflected on the dedication he brings to his craft, recognizing the emotional strain while also identifying the experience as both challenging and humbling.