Career Timeline of Jayson Tatum: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Jayson Tatum, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jayson Tatum is a professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics. A McDonald's All-American in high school, he played for Duke before being drafted third overall by the Celtics in 2017. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2018 and won the inaugural NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP in 2022. Tatum secured his first NBA championship with the Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2007: Celtics' Last Top Seed

The Celtics finished the 2024 regular season with the NBA's top seed and home-court advantage throughout the postseason for the first time since 2007-08.

2010: Celtics Last Finals Appearance

In 2010, the Celtics made their last NBA Finals appearance before Tatum led them back in 2022.

2014: Played in the FIBA Under-17 World Championship

In 2014, Jayson Tatum played in the FIBA Under-17 World Championship.

2015: Senior Year Highlights

As a senior in 2015–16, Jayson Tatum averaged 29.6 points and 9.1 rebounds and posted six 40-point games while leading Chaminade to its second Missouri Class 5A state championship.

2015: Played in the FIBA Under-19 World Championship

In 2015, Jayson Tatum played in the FIBA Under-19 World Championship and made the Eurobasket.com All-World Championship U19 Second Team.

December 3, 2016: Duke Debut

On December 3, 2016, in his Duke debut, Jayson Tatum recorded 10 points in a 94–55 blowout victory over Maine.

2016: Jaylen Brown drafted by Boston Celtics

In 2016, Jaylen Brown was drafted by the Boston Celtics whom Tatum formed a duo with.

2016: Represented Team USA at the Nike Hoop Summit

In 2016, Jayson Tatum represented Team USA at the Nike Hoop Summit, where he recorded 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block in approximately 17 minutes of play.

2016: Duke Freshman Season

In his freshman season for Duke in 2016–17, Jayson Tatum played 29 games and averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He was named to the ACC All-Freshman team and a third-team All-ACC selection.

January 4, 2017: Scored 19 Points in Victory Over Georgia Tech

On January 4, 2017, Jayson Tatum scored 19 points in a 110–57 blowout victory over Georgia Tech.

October 17, 2017: NBA Debut

On October 17, 2017, Jayson Tatum recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in his NBA debut as the team's starting power forward. The Celtics lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-99.

2017: Spokesperson for Imo's Pizza

As of 2017, Jayson Tatum is a spokesperson for Imo's Pizza.

2017: Entered NBA Draft

At the end of his freshman season, in 2017, Jayson Tatum opted to enter the NBA draft as a one-and-done player.

2017: Selected by Celtics in NBA Draft

In 2017, Jayson Tatum was selected by the Boston Celtics after a trade involving the No. 1 overall pick. During the NBA Summer League, Tatum averaged 18.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 2.0 assists in Utah, and similar results in Las Vegas.

2017: Drafted by the Boston Celtics

In 2017, Jayson Tatum was selected by the Boston Celtics with the third overall pick in the NBA draft.

October 16, 2018: Recorded 23 points, nine rebounds, and three assists

On October 16, 2018, during the season-opening 105–87 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, Jayson Tatum recorded 23 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.

February 5, 2019: Recorded 25 points and seven rebounds

On February 5, 2019, Jayson Tatum recorded 25 points and seven rebounds in a 103–96 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

June 21, 2019: Signed with the Jordan Brand

On June 21, 2019, Jayson Tatum signed with the Jordan Brand.

November 22, 2020: Agreed to Rookie Maximum Extension

On November 22, 2020, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics agreed to a rookie maximum extension of five years, worth $163 million.

2020: Tatum and LaVine's Achievement

In 2020, Jayson Tatum and Zach LaVine of the Chicago Bulls became the second pair of players in the 2020-21 NBA season to score 50+ points on the same day.

2020: Named to the 2020 Olympic team

In 2020, Jayson Tatum was named to the 2020 Olympic team.

October 25, 2021: Tatum Leads Celtics to First Win

On October 25, 2021, Jayson Tatum scored 41 points in an overtime victory against the Charlotte Hornets, leading the Celtics to their first win of the season.

2021: Won a gold medal with Team USA at the Olympics

In 2021, Jayson Tatum helped Team USA win the gold medal at the Olympics, averaging 15.2 points per game.

2021: Tatum Scores 50 in Play-in Game

In 2021, during the first game of the play-in tournament, Jayson Tatum scored 50 points, leading the Celtics to a 118–100 victory over the Washington Wizards and securing the #7-seed in the Eastern Conference for the 2021 NBA playoffs. Tatum set a record for most points in a single play-in tournament game.

January 23, 2022: Tatum Scores Season-High 51 Points

On January 23, 2022, Jayson Tatum scored a season-high 51 points, along with 10 rebounds and seven assists, in a victory over the Washington Wizards.

November 30, 2022: Tatum's 49 Points and Three-Point Record

On November 30, 2022, Jayson Tatum scored 49 points, had 11 rebounds, and made eight three-pointers in a victory over the Miami Heat. He became the youngest player in NBA history to make 900 three-pointers.

2022: 2022 NBA Finals

In 2022, Tatum and the Celtics reached the NBA Finals.

January 5, 2023: Tatum's Second Career Triple-Double

On January 5, 2023, Jayson Tatum recorded his second career triple-double with 29 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in a victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

November 4, 2023: Tatum Reaches 10,000 Career Points

On November 4, 2023, Jayson Tatum recorded 32 points and 11 rebounds in a victory over the Brooklyn Nets and became the youngest Celtic to reach 10,000 career points.

2023: Received signature Jordan Tatum 1 silhouette

In 2023, Jayson Tatum received his own signature silhouette, the Jordan Tatum 1.

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January 25, 2024: Tatum Named All-Star Starter

On January 25, 2024, Jayson Tatum was named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, marking his fifth consecutive selection.

February 13, 2024: Tatum's 41 Points Against Nets

On February 13, 2024, Jayson Tatum scored 41 points, including 31 in the first half, and had 14 rebounds in a victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

February 2024: Partnered with SoFi and appeared on CBS News

In February 2024, Jayson Tatum partnered with SoFi to help people buy homes in St. Louis, with SoFi donating $1 million to the Jayson Tatum Foundation. That month, Tatum also appeared on CBS News to discuss these efforts to boost home ownership and financial literacy.

July 1, 2024: Tatum Signs Record Contract Extension

On July 1, 2024, Jayson Tatum signed a five-year contract extension worth up to $314 million, making it the richest deal in NBA history.

July 2024: Named cover athlete for NBA 2K25

In July 2024, Jayson Tatum was named the cover athlete for the video game NBA 2K25.

November 16, 2024: Game-winning shot against Raptors

On November 16, 2024, Jayson Tatum recorded 24 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, and made a buzzer-beating, game-winning three-pointer in a 126–123 overtime victory against the Toronto Raptors.

2024: Won NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals within a week of Matthew Tkachuk

In 2024, Jayson Tatum and his high school friend Matthew Tkachuk both won their respective championship series (the 2024 NBA Finals and 2024 Stanley Cup Finals) within a week of each other.

2024: Led Celtics to League-Best Record and NBA Championship

In 2024, Jayson Tatum led the Celtics to a league-best 64 wins and a championship in the NBA Finals.

2024: Named to the 2024 Olympic team

In 2024, Jayson Tatum was named to the 2024 Olympic team, which went on to win the gold medal in a rematch against France.

2024: Tatum Reaches NBA Finals and Triple Double

In 2024, Tatum lead his team to the NBA finals and had his first career playoff triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in Game 1 of the Celtics' first round playoff series against the Miami Heat.

2024: Tatum Wins NBA Championship

In 2024, Tatum won the NBA Championship. In Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks on June 9, Tatum recorded a near triple-double with 18 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds in a 105–98 victory. Three days later in Game 3, he had 31 points, six rebounds, and five assists in 106–99 victory. The Celtics went on to win the series in five games, with Tatum recording 31 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds during the 106–88 close-out victory in Game 5 on June 17.

January 25, 2025: Named Eastern Conference All-Star Starter

On January 25, 2025, Jayson Tatum was named an Eastern Conference starter for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, marking his sixth consecutive selection and his third consecutive selection as a starter.

October 2025: Named Chief Basketball Officer for Duke Blue Devils

In October 2025, Jayson Tatum was named the Chief Basketball Officer for Duke Blue Devils men's basketball, where he will serve as a special advisor to Jon Scheyer and the Duke University program.