Dear NBA, Get Ready For An Infusion Of Elite Talent

Jayson Tatum, 6’8″ 200, Small Forward, Chaminade High School (MO)

You’ll be hard pressed to find a high school player as polished and as complete as Jayson Tatum.

Like Jackson and Giles, Tatum had an incredibly successful and dominant summer. Not only did the St. Louis, MO, native win gold with team USA at the U19 World Championships, he also led his St. Louis Eagles team to the championship game of the EYBL Finals at Peach Jam in July while averaging 19.5 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

Blessed with terrific length for his position, standing at 6’8″ in shoes, with a wingspan spanning across 6’11”, and a standing reach of 8’9″ — not to mention, a broad frame that should fill out swimmingly with time/age — the 17-year-old forward is a smooth as silk athlete capable of piling up points with effortless ease.

As the primary option on offense, the pinch post serves as his safe haven for production. He has a jab-step, one-dribble pull-up game that is wise beyond his years. Additionally, he has a fluid handle which allows him to comfortably negotiate pick-and-rolls and break his man down in isolation sets.

Not surprisingly, he handles and passes the ball in transition like a point forward, usually igniting the fast break after snatching a defensive rebound.

However, over the years, NBA pundits have unconsciously built a stigma for every highly skilled grass root player, painting a picture that their advanced acumen serves as a compensation of sorts for their lack of athleticism.

While, like the Carmelo Anthony’s and the Jabari Parker’s of prospects past, Tatum’s anecdotal athletic traits pales in comparison to that of a LeBron James, Andrew Wiggins, or Josh Jackson, Jayson is far from your average slow-footed stiff.

Just ask the Greeks if they think the gliding 6’8″ teenager lacks “explosiveness” and/or “bounce.”

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In particular, Tatum has a surprisingly swift first step, possesses effortless body control, and is a deceptively quick leaper.

Looking forward to his collegiate career, his mature repertoire of skills should fit hand-in-hand in Coach K’s multi-functioning system at Duke. He should, much like at the grassroots level, engender a horde of mismatches due to his high skill level, length and athleticism.

In the meantime, Tatum does need add strength, as he’s painfully weak when finishing around the basket, and often shies away from contact as a result. Moreover, he has to quicken up his shot release, as it’s currently quite lethargic.

Overall, though, the future Blue Devil is one of the more well-rounded perimeter prospects we’ve witnessed over the last several years. With some minor tweaks, by the time 2017 draft arrives, Tatum could make a run at not only a top-5 pick, but a chance to establish himself as the most polished and NBA-ready prospect of his class.

Next: Thon Maker