Jayson Tatum

School was very important. But I needed to watch basketball.

If somebody was to ask me who is the best rookie, I would tell them I was.

Talent level, I feel like if I'm not the best, I'm one or two. I think it's just opportunity, the situation that you're in, and who's on your team. I think I've done all right.

There's no greater feeling, I would imagine, than winning a national championship in that one year and then hopefully going to the NBA.

My parents are supportive of me, whatever school I go to.

Because I grew up in a single parent home with my mom, growing up, things weren't always the best.

It feels great just finally knowing where I'm going and have some place to call home. And I'm glad it's Boston.

It's been a dream come true, you know, just making it to the NBA and being drafted by a great franchise like Boston.

I still think it's mind-blowing when famous people know who I am.

I don't have anything to eat in my house but chips and Gatorade.

Anytime I play another rookie, there's that extra edge.

Man, I'm always going to back up my teammates.

Each person's workout is really different. It's tailored to be what's most needed for them. Everybody's different.

Growing up with videos and YouTube, being able to see content from the '90s - music and games - that really helped me stay connected with the time before me.

All I used to want to do was shoot fadeaways like Kobe because he was my favorite player.

The Celtics were always going to pick me No. 1, but Philly didn't know that.

I'm looking to try to do more out there and just taking advantage of the opportunities that I've been given.

There's no better way to start your career than by playing probably the best guy in the league.

Not too many people know what they want to do at 3 and then go do it.

My mom tried to not let me see how much we were struggling, but I noticed it. I think that's what made me work harder. I saw how hard she was working, and I just wanted a better life for both of us.

You work all season to earn the trust of your teammates and the coaching staff.

Meeting Kobe, it was of the greatest feelings ever.

I got to go to practice one day, shoot around, and rebound for LeBron James. That was still an unreal experience.

It helps being on a good team with a winning culture and just being confident in myself.

I didn't expect this - to be 19, be a rookie, playing this much and having a kid. It's a lot, but, I mean, I'm enjoying it.

I gained, like, 20 pounds in, like, two and a half, three weeks. So I just got too big too fast, and my body wasn't adjusted to that.

I remember placing the New Era cap on my head at the 2017 NBA draft - that moment changed my life. I'm excited to be a part of a brand that has a strong sport heritage and look forward to being a part of their history.

I don't think I really like going to class that much.

Every time I shoot, I think it's going in. I get upset when it doesn't.

Once you get to the tournament, it's like, win or go home.

My relationships with the Duke coaches were the best, and they made me a priority.

I just try to stay in my little circle. And I don't try to do too much. And when my opportunity comes, I just try to make the most of it.

Guys are going to be physical, especially with me being the young guy. That tends to happen a lot. It's just guys trying to be stronger and bigger than me, so they're just trying to be more physical.

All good players have to do that, to learn how to get better throughout the season. Just really work on my body. Just try to stay healthy and be stronger. Just try to get bigger.

I used to watch LeBron on TV growing up, and now I'm playing my first game against him.

I've been watching Kobe ever since I can remember.

I dreamed of having big moments and having a big role. That obviously came a lot sooner than I thought.

I think that's when I have the most fun: when things are on the line.

I just enjoy playing in the big moments, in the big games.

I grew up watching LeBron and asking him to follow me back on Twitter, going to his camps. So just to be able to compete against a player like him and be a few shots away from beating him and his team to go to a championship is something I will always remember.

There's a lot of talented guys, but at the end of the day, you've got to go out there and get it. It's really about who's competing and who wants it more on both ends of the floor.

I love Coach K's passion to coach his players and to coach the game. I examined and watched the interaction between him and his staff, along with the players, and was impressed how hard they played.

Every since I started playing basketball, I wanted to be just like Kobe. To get to see him play in person, and to meet him, was just a dream come true.

It's a lot of fun, especially when you're winning. Playing at home in front of the best fans - doesn't get any better than that.

I guess people looked at me in college, said I couldn't shoot or play defense. I proved them wrong.

I don't really think about it. I just try to find my opportunity and then attack.

You've just got to go out there and make the right play.

Just keep having fun. It's basketball. So that's what I'm going to keep doing.

I feel like when I'm out there, I'm on the court, I just try to figure it out.

I want to be the next Paul Pierce.