Three things Jayson Tatum brings against South Sudan

Jayson Tatum was benched for Team USA's opening game against Serbia on Sunday. Steve Kerr's team secured a 110-84 win despite the Boston Celtics star's lack of playing time. However, the social media backlash surrounding Tatum's exclusion was significant and forced the issue into the limelight.

During a recent news conference, Kerr confirmed that Tatum will participate in Team USA's game against South Sudan on Wednesday. With that in mind, here are three things Tatum will bring to the table.

1. Rebounding

On Sunday, South Sudan secured a win of its own, defeating Puerto Rico 90-79 . The Sudanese team dominated on the glass, grabbing 18 offensive rebounds and 55 boards in total.

Tatum is one of the best rebounding forwards in the NBA. Last season, he grabbed 18.5 percent of available defensive rebounds for Boston, ranking in the 94th percentile.

Regardless of what position Kerr asks Tatum to play, he will be a major force on the defensive glass. His 6-foot-10 frame makes him a valuable option for securing missed shots and initiating early offense. Given South Sudan's rebounding talent and the athleticism within its roster, Tatum will have a big role in helping control the tempo.

2. Playmaking

Tatum is a naturally gifted scorer. He is among the best pure scorers in the world and is a genuine three-level threat. However, over the past few years, he has developed his ability as a playmaker. Tatum is now an elite point forward who can generate offense for himself and others in both the open court and half-court situations. Last season, he assisted on 21.2 percent of his teammate's made shots while he was on the floor.

Kerr will likely ensure Tatum gets some reps as a ball handler so he can use his pick-and-roll creation, especially when finding shooters spotting up in the corner. Tatum's playmaking is a serious weapon that can't be ignored.

3. Rim Pressure

Tatum shot 72 percent at the rim this past season. His work as a screener allows him to split out of active defensive coverages and attack space off the catch. Tatum is also one of the best post scorers in the world. By having him in the rotation, Team USA will be giving itself a reliable outlet to pressure the rim and force defensive collapses.

As we saw against Serbia, Team USA has a major advantage on the perimeter. Someone like Tatum could create even more space due to his size, gravity and off-ball movement. Allowing him to get downhill and pressure the rim early would undoubtedly open up additional three-point shots later in the game.

Therefore it makes sense to give Tatum some free reign early, then take advantage whenever possible.