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Justin Tatum

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Justin Tatum
Illawarra Hawks
PositionHead coach
LeagueNBL
Personal information
Born (1979-03-10) March 10, 1979 (age 45)[a]
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2003: undrafted
Playing career2003–2005
PositionForward / center
Coaching career2006–present
Career history
As player:
2003–2005Aris Leeuwarden
2004St. Louis SkyHawks
As coach:
2006–2007Christian Brothers College HS (assistant)
2007–2013Soldan HS
2013–2023Christian Brothers College HS
2022–2023St. Louis Surge (assistant)
2023Illawarra Hawks (assistant)
2023–presentIllawarra Hawks
Career highlights and awards

Justin Tatum (born March 10, 1979[a]) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Saint Louis Billikens between 1998 and 2001 before having a two-year playing career in the Netherlands with Aris Leeuwarden between 2003 and 2005. Between 2007 and 2023, he had a 16-year high school coaching career in Missouri, winning three state championships. He moved to Australia in 2023 where he became head coach of the Illawarra Hawks.

Early life

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Tatum was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.[4] He grew up with his mother, Rose Mary Johnson,[5][6] and his younger sister, Kristen. He saw his father occasionally. His mother was an elementary school teacher and worked extra jobs to provide for her children.[7]

Tatum grew up playing football, baseball and track and field. He did not start playing basketball until eighth grade.[8] After spending his freshman year at Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School,[4] he moved to Christian Brothers College High School, where he won a Missouri state title with future NBA player Larry Hughes as a senior in 1997.[9][10]

College career

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Tatum attempted to join the Saint Louis Billikens of the Conference USA for the 1997–98 season, but the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) ruled him ineligible due to academic reasons.[11] He failed to score high enough on the ACT and was subsequently diagnosed by a psychologist with a disorder that involved severe anxiety while taking tests. He was allowed to take the test untimed and registered a score high enough to qualify. However, the NCAA rejected the untimed score.[7][12] He failed to become eligible for the spring semester,[13] and because he hadn't enrolled as a full-time student until the second semester, he was ruled ineligible for the first semester of the 1998–99 season as well.[7] He contemplated transferring but did not want to play for a Division II school.[7] He subsequently did not play competitive basketball for a year and a half.[10][13]

Tatum debuted for the Billikens in December 1998.[10] Due to conditioning, he played a reserve role during the 1998–99 season.[10] In 22 games, he averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 19.5 minutes per game.[14] In the 1999–2000 season, Tatum averaged 8.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 24.5 minutes in 32 games with 16 starts.[14] He was the second-leading scorer for the Billikens' Conference USA championship team in 2000.[15] In the 2000–01 season, he averaged 8.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 23.2 minutes in 31 games with 12 starts.[14] Tatum graduated from SLU in 2001.[12]

By completing his degree, Tatum earned back the season of eligibility that he had lost as a freshman but he missed the 2001–02 season due to a knee injury.[15][16] His NCAA eligibility subsequently expired and he had to join a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) program to complete his collegiate career.[15] Tatum joined McKendree University after becoming eligible in the second semester of the 2002–03 season.[16][17] He helped the Bearcats finish with a 34–4 record and reach the NAIA final four.[15] In 16 games, he made 15 starts and averaged 13.4 points and 9.9 rebounds in 23.4 minutes per game.[18]

Professional career

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Tatum made his professional debut with Aris Leeuwarden in the Dutch Promotiedivisie in the 2003–04 season.[19] He helped the team win the Promotiedivisie championship, which earned them promotion to the first-tiered Dutch Basketball League (DBL).[20]

In 2004, Tatum played for the St. Louis SkyHawks in the United States Basketball League (USBL). In nine games, he averaged 13.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.[3]

Tatum returned to Aris for the 2004–05 DBL season.[19] He played in the DBL All-Star Game[21] and averaged 15.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.8 blocks in 31 games.[1]

Being away from his family for many months at a time took its toll on Tatum. He subsequently retired from playing professional basketball overseas to be with his son.[11][22]

Coaching career

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High school

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Tatum's first coaching stint came in the 2006–07 season as an assistant coach with his alma mater, Christian Brothers College High School.[22]

In 2007, Tatum was appointed head coach of the Soldan High School boys' basketball team.[22] In 2012, he guided Soldan to the Class 4 state title.[23]

In 2013, Tatum returned to Christian Brothers College High School, this time as head coach of the boys' basketball team. In his first season as coach, he guided the Cadets to their first state championship since 1997.[23] He guided the Cadets to the state championship again in 2022.[9] He left the program following the 2022–23 season[9] as one of the most successful prep coaches in Missouri history.[11]

St. Louis Surge

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In 2022 and 2023, Tatum served as associate head coach of the St. Louis Surge of the Global Women's Basketball Association (GWBA).[24][25][26]

Illawarra Hawks

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In February 2023, Tatum joined the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) as its North American scout and special advisor to basketball operations.[27][28]

In May 2023, Tatum was appointed an assistant coach of the Illawarra Hawks for the 2023–24 NBL season.[29] On November 14, 2023, he was promoted to interim head coach when Jacob Jackomas was fired after the Hawks started the season with a 2–7 record.[30][31] Tatum guided the Hawks to seven victories in his first nine games as coach,[32] going on to lead them to a fourth-place finish and a 14–14 record.[33] He subsequently finished as runner-up for NBL Coach of the Year.[34] On February 22, 2024, prior to the Hawks' playoff campaign, Tatum signed a three-year deal with Illawarra to continue as permanent head coach.[35][36][37][38] He helped the Hawks reach the semi-finals with a victory in the play-in game against the New Zealand Breakers.[39] They went on to lose 2–1 to Melbourne United in the semi-finals.[40]

Tatum entered the 2024–25 NBL season with the belief that the Hawks were a top-two team.[41] The team started the season with a 6–2 record.[42]

Personal life

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Tatum has a sister and four half-siblings.[7] He is a cousin of former NBA player and current coach Tyronn Lue.[43]

Tatum is the father of NBA player Jayson Tatum, born in 1998 to Brandy Cole.[11] Brandy raised Jayson as a single mother.[44] Tatum was heavily involved with Jayson's life while he was playing at Saint Louis, and when he was playing in the Netherlands, Brandy took Jayson overseas to visit his father.[45]

Tatum's childhood friend, former NBA player Larry Hughes, is Jayson's godfather.[11] Tatum's other two children are son Jaycob and daughter Kayden.[4][26]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b Some sources list him as being born on March 10,[1][2] while others state he was born on April 11.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Justin Tatum". Basketball Nederland (in Dutch). Archived from the original on December 21, 2023.
  2. ^ "Surge Fam, help us wish our Associate Head Coach Justin Tatum a happy birthday today!". facebook.com/stlsurgebasketball. March 10, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Justin Tatum". StatsCrew.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "The Journey of Justin Tatum". YouTube. Illawarra Hawks. January 30, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  5. ^ Himmelsbach, Adam. "How Jayson Tatum's grandmother forged a lifelong bond with Celtics great Jo Jo White". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "Jennings Junior High renamed, honoring Johnson". The St. Louis American. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e Eisenbath, Mike (January 20, 1999). "Tatum's big lessons came on sideline". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. D6. Retrieved December 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Woods, Dan (January 27, 2024). "How late bloomer Tatum forged basketball philosophy". NBL.com.au. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Latsch, Nate (May 12, 2023). "Justin Tatum announces he's leaving CBC High School for role with Australian basketball club". SBLive Sports. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d Eisenbath, Mike (January 20, 1999). "Tatum's big lessons came on sideline". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. D1. Retrieved December 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b c d e Spears, Marc J. (June 2, 2022). "Jayson Tatum has always had Larry Hughes' support in his journey to the NBA". Andscape.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Durando, Stu (December 26, 2000). "Tatum may seek another year at SLU". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved December 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b "Mens College Basketball - Preview 2000: Saint Louis". ESPN.com. November 2, 1999. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Tatum tried to become eligible for the spring semester of the 1997-98 season, but when that didn't work out, he wound up sitting for a year and a half.
  14. ^ a b c "Justin Tatum College Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d DeCourcy, Mike (February 9, 2022). "Do you know the name Harry Statham? If you are a college basketball fan, you should know the McKendree legend". The Sporting News. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "2002–03 McKENDREE COLLEGE MEN'S BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW". McKendree University. Archived from the original on March 12, 2003. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  17. ^ "2002–03 Men's Basketball Roster". McKendree University. Archived from the original on March 12, 2003. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  18. ^ "2002–03 Men's Basketball Team Statistics". McKendree University. Archived from the original on March 12, 2003. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  19. ^ a b "Justin Tatum". Eurobasket.com. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  20. ^ "LWD Basket Leeuwarden History". Eurobasket.com. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  21. ^ "All Star Gala seizoen 2004-2005". j-dus.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  22. ^ a b c Kvidahl, David (December 15, 2011). "Once the Student, Now the Teacher". LadueNews.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023.
  23. ^ a b Austin Jr., Earl (March 27, 2014). "Justin Tatum coaches his alma mater to first state title in 17 years". The St. Louis American. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023.
  24. ^ "ST. LOUIS SURGE ANNOUNCES NEW COACHING STAFF FOR 10TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON". St. Louis Surge. November 17, 2021. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023.
  25. ^ "#STLSurgeNation is excited to announce Justin Tatum as our new Associate Head Coach for the 2022 season". facebook.com/stlsurgebasketball. November 17, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  26. ^ a b "ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH JUSTIN TATUM". St. Louis Surge. June 14, 2022. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023.
  27. ^ "Illawarra Hawks Sign Tatum". Hawks.com.au. February 28, 2023. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023.
  28. ^ "Hawks Welcome Famous Name". NBL.com.au. February 28, 2023. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023.
  29. ^ "Hawks Confirm NBL24 Coaching Roster". Hawks.com.au. May 12, 2023. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023.
  30. ^ "Hawks, Jackomas part ways". NBL.com.au. November 14, 2023. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023.
  31. ^ "Jayson Tatum's dad promoted to interim head coach of Australian NBL team". WBZ-TV. The Associated Press. November 14, 2023. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023.
  32. ^ "Hawks prevail in double OT classic over JackJumpers". NBL.com.au. January 12, 2024. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024.
  33. ^ "Goulding, Melbourne bounce back in tight win over Hawks". ESPN.com.au. February 18, 2024. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024.
  34. ^ Jennings, Mitch (February 19, 2024). "Illawarra Hawks favourites Gary Clark and Sam Froling win NBL awards". Illawarra Mercury. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024.
  35. ^ "Hawks appoint Justin Tatum as permanent Head Coach". Hawks.com.au. February 22, 2024. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024.
  36. ^ "Tatum signs three-year deal with Hawks". NBL.com.au. February 22, 2024. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024.
  37. ^ Jennings, Mitch (February 22, 2024). "Illawarra Hawks sign coach Justin Tatum to long-term deal in Wollongong". Illawarra Mercury. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024.
  38. ^ Uluc, Olgun (February 22, 2024). "Justin Tatum signs on as Hawks head coach". ESPN.com.au. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024.
  39. ^ "Hawks make Playoffs, fairytale continues". NBL.com.au. March 4, 2024. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024.
  40. ^ Woods, Dan (March 13, 2024). "Hawks reflect on what could have been". NBL.com.au. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024.
  41. ^ "Tatum: "Were a top-two team"". NBL.com.au. September 27, 2024. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024.
  42. ^ "Tatum: 'We expect success'". NBL.com.au. October 27, 2024. Archived from the original on October 27, 2024.
  43. ^ McMenamin, Dave (May 10, 2018). "Tyronn Lue: 'Good to see' cousin Jayson Tatum succeeding with Celtics". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  44. ^ "Rising Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Continues To Find Inspiration From His Mother". WBZ-TV. May 23, 2018. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023.
  45. ^ Forgrave, Reid (June 19, 2017). "'Built for Basketball': Jayson Tatum Was Born and Raised to Be an NBA Star". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023.
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