Tatum named Gatorade National Player of the Year
Jayson Tatum has had a completely wonderful experience in basketball so far in his young life.
He's been a part of gold medal winning teams for USA Basketball. He participated in the McDonald's All-American game this week. His team, St. Louis (Missouri) Chaminade Prep, recently won a state title. And he is a signed commitment for the Duke Blue Devils.
And now, he has won the 2015-16 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
Tatum's mentor and former NBA All-Star, Penny Hardaway was on hand to surprise the 6-foot-8 guard/forward with the prestigious award.
"I just can't believe it. They totally caught me off guard with this award," Tatum said to DI. "I had no idea that I was going to win this. But it feels great. I feel honored and am so blessed. I couldn't have done this, though, without my family, my teammates and the coaches that have pushed me to be the best that I can be. I had a great team this year and a lot of the credit goes to them."
Tatum carried a "B" average at the esteemed private school and he has always been of terrific character and integrity on and off of the court.
He has also been working hard on his game and his mental awareness as he gets ready to play basketball in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Tatum is expected to start and make an immediate impact on the court next year in Durham. He says that he's made some strides in several key areas.
"Just being consistent," he said. "Playing well and playing hard every time I step on that court. That's been big for me and also composure. Just never getting rattled when things aren't going well. Just trying to stay composed when I can and being a leader out there. Just trying to be a guy that others look to when they need someone to step up."
He'll enroll at Duke this summer, where he joins up with one of the nation's top recruiting classes along with Harry Giles, Frank Jackson, Javin DeLaurier, Jack White and potentially Marques Bolden. The versatile star is excited about the future.
"I'm just looking forward to getting there with the team. Getting there with the coaches and putting in the work."
In 1985, The Gatorade Company established an award to honor America's elite high school athletes in all 50 states. Since then, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has become one of the most prestigious high school athletic awards in the nation.