Grant Hill foresaw Jayson Tatum would become one of the best players in the NBA: “Time is what he needs, and I can’t wait to watch and see what he ultimately becomes"

Jayson Tatum is one of the brightest stars in the NBA right now due to his near-limitless talent. He is a natural star due to his ability to score from anywhere on the court while playing elite defense. That talent has made him a top-tier player since he broke out during the 2018 Playoffs. He was the third overall pick in 2017, so expectations were high for him, but people like Grant Hill were already aware of JT’s star power and all-time great potential when Duke recruited him to play college basketball.

“He’s a grinder. He’s a guy that you can tell from his skill set. If you’re that young, to be that polished already, footwork, the understanding of how to use his body, how to get off his shot, his total package, his bag of tricks,” Hill said in 2018. “I think time. Time is what he needs, and I can’t wait to watch and see what he ultimately becomes. It’s scary.”

Tatum has ascended into stardom since 2018

Hill was correct in his assessment because Tatum’s skill set is one of the most impressive in the league. He stands at 6’8” but can do isolation plays like a guard. He has a smooth play style, as every move he makes looks natural and effortless. JT has passed the eye test but has also done well with his numbers.

Tatum’s 2023/24 season was superb, as he averaged 26.9 points. 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Most people point out that he is one of the best offensive players, but the rest of his skill set deserves respect. He is a superb defender who knows how to use his size and length to keep up with any matchup. At the same time, Tatum is also an underrated playmaker as he has elevated himself into a reliable offensive hub for the Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla.

The Celtics have embraced JT as their superstar. Thankfully, he is not alone there because Jaylen Brown has been on the same trajectory. The two Jays know how to maximize each other’s skill set, which Jrue Holiday describes as a sacred relationship .

Tatum is still improving

At only 26 years old, Tatum is still on an upward trajectory. He continues to sharpen his offensive skill set while being rock-solid on the defensive end. Thankfully, the Celtics are supportive because the system is built around him and JB maximizing their talents.

Celtics fans should be excited for JT to keep evolving his game. The Celtics are set to be contenders for a long time, with JT and JB leading the way. It could be challenging because other teams are trying to catch up, but Tatum is ready to be the leader and superstar to trounce them all.

If you ask Grant Hill, this is a result he has expected for a long time. He is a big believer in Tatum, which is one of the reasons JT was on Team USA. Hill knew Tatum’s talents were essential for the team if they wanted to win the Olympics and the FIBA World Cup.

Related: Tatum talks about his chances of winning an MVP award this season - "If I am in that conversation, that means we are one of the best teams"