Editing Jayson Tatum (section)

=== NBA Draft and Early Years with the Boston Celtics ===
Tatum was selected with the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. His selection came after a successful college season where he had showcased his well-rounded game. Boston’s decision to pick Tatum, instead of taking a more high-profile prospect like Josh Jackson or De’Aaron Fox, was seen as a smart one, given his versatile scoring, defense, and basketball IQ.

In his rookie season, Tatum wasted no time showing why he was worthy of the high pick. He immediately became a key contributor for the Celtics, averaging 13.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. His poise and maturity on the court were evident from the start, as he helped lead Boston to the Eastern Conference Finals. Tatum’s ability to score efficiently, especially in clutch moments, made him a standout rookie.

Tatum's signature moment during his rookie year came in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he had a memorable dunk over LeBron James. Although the Celtics fell short of reaching the NBA Finals, Tatum’s performance throughout the postseason proved that he was a future star in the making.