How late bloomer Tatum forged basketball philosophy

Justin Tatum’s entire career in basketball can be described as non-conformist. The interim head coach of the Illawarra Hawks didn’t even play the game until eighth grade and, now at the age of 44, has helped turn around one of the NBL’s most historic clubs.

Five years of college – first at Saint Louis, then at McKendree – preceded a short playing career in Europe, and it was that time in Holland that cultivated Tatum’s love of coaching.

“While I was playing I kind of disliked all the coaches I played for, but I got a love and passion for them now. I call them all and tell them I’m sorry for the type of player I was, because I definitely understand now,” Tatum said on The Huddle.

“Coaching didn’t really start for me until I was overseas playing in Holland’s league and in our down time we were coaching, like how they have camps out here. We were able to coach little league teams and I saw how fun and how passionate kids are. 

“My son Jayson, at that time, was about seven years old, so when I got the opportunity when I came back home I built teams and programs around him and we just went forming teams and coaching little league.

“Probably a couple of years later I got into high school, and then it started to be a passion, seeing the change I can bring in young men’s lives, their family’s lives, and how it can bring people together to just enjoy winning and success, and even enjoy losing, because you see the growth of your kids.

“I’ve been doing that the last 16 years, high school wise, and I grew that passion when I was in my downwards career playing over in Holland.”

Justin’s son, Jayson, has established himself as one of the premier players in the NBA, since being drafted by the Boston Celtics in 2017.

He’s since become a four-time NBA All Star and two-time All-NBA First Team selection, and given he’s still just 25 the sky seems to be the limit for the Celtic.

Tatum senior, of course, was heavily involved in the development of his son’s skillset growing up, and he says he used his experiences as a late-comer to the game to help shape his strategy in developing his son’s talents.

“I was a late bloomer in basketball because I was more of a football player, and I played other sports like baseball and I ran track,” he said. “When I started to grow and get taller my knees started to hurt more and running track wasn’t helping and getting hit in football wasn’t helping either. Someone rolled the ball out to me when I was in eighth grade.

“I was more of an aggressive four type of guy, I loved dunking the ball and playing defence, so I got the passion for it in eighth grade and I saw how it opened up opportunities for me in the summer time with AAU basketball and in high school, then I got a college scholarship dunking the ball, grabbing rebounds and being a great teammate.

“I also saw my skillset was able to be developed way more, and that’s what I instilled in my son then when he was younger.

“Instead of being a forceful guy like pops was grabbing rebounds, we should be able to do multiple things, and so that’s how I was able to start with him outside in instead of inside-out, like I was taught late.”

Tatum’s Hawks next take to the floor against the New Zealand Breakers on Sunday at 2pm AEDT, live on ESPN via Kayo Freebies, 10 Peach and 10 Play and Sky Sport in NZ.