Jayson Tatum on Olympics experience: 'I just stayed a professional'

Fresh off his first NBA title win, Jayson Tatum was expected to play a significant role for Team USA at the Paris Olympics, especially due to his vast experience in FIBA competitions. Instead, the Celtics forward rode the bench for two of the six games in Paris and averaged 17.7 minutes in his four outings.

Tatum's sporadic usage led to many criticizing Team USA head coach Steve Kerr, with some even urging the Celtics star to sit out the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in protest.

To his credit, Tatum remained even-keeled throughout the Olympic experience, even though he wished he had received more playing time, per The Boston Globe's Tara Sullivan .

"I can't lie. It was challenging," Tatum said of his lack of playing time. "Especially after the experience of the highest of the highest winning a championship, and then put in a new situation where you've never been in that spot before. But you know, I didn't want to make it about me... I just stayed a professional. I came to work every day. Just stay ready."

Besides a slew of current and former players, rapper Vince Staples posted a message to show solidarity with Tatum. Interestingly, Tatum shared the post on his social media, fueling chatter that he was unhappy about his playing time for Team USA.

Tatum plans to use the Olympic experience as fuel when he and his Celtics begin their pursuit of back-to-back NBA titles. The five-time All-Star and now two-time Olympic gold medalist revealed many of his concerned friends reached out to him during his time in Paris about his lack of playing time.

"A lot of people texted me and reached out and were like, 'Make sure this fuels you,' which I appreciate," Tatum said while adding that his Olympic experience was "challenging at humbling" at the same time.

Tatum is in the middle of arguably his best year as a pro athlete. Soon after winning his maiden NBA title, he signed a historic five-year, $315 million contract and was unveiled as the cover athlete of NBA 2K25. A prominent role on Team USA would have been the icing on the cake, but it wasn't to be.