Incoming freshman small forward Jayson Tatum was compared to Grant Hill by ESPN Analyst Jay Williams. Therefore, you have a current Duke McDonald’s All-American being compared to another Dukie McDAA by a broadcaster who also fits both classifications.
The more things change, the more they stay the same, as the blue bloods just keep getting richer.
After a really down McDAA class last year (and hence a very bad NBA Draft class headed our way this June), things are trending upward again. This year isn’t quite the Andrew Wiggins/Jabari Parker class of 2013, but it’s certainly on par or better than the Jahlil Okafor class of 2014.
Jayson Tatum, a 6’9″ three from Chaminade Prep in St. Louis, is a big reason why. He might be the most complete, and pro ready prospect in this class. NBA Draft Express has him going 1st overall in their 2017 NBA mock draft. Draft Express has him third.
About those Grant Hill comparisons…
“Definitely somebody I look up to, great NBA player back in the day, before he got hurt and definitely in college,” Tatum said in an exclusive with The Sports Bank.
He said Kobe is his favorite player but his role models are:
“Jabari Parker and Brandon Ingram, guys at my position and who went to Duke that I look up to.”
We also asked him what specific traits he’s trying to showcase this week for a national audience.
“Probably competing,” he said.
“With the best players in the country, big lights, big stage and TV, just showing how much of a competitor I am, on the defensive and offensive end.”
Jayson Tatum was part of a winning team in the Legends and Stars Shootout at the Chicago Theatre Tuesday night. Rivals has Tatum ranked the third best prospect in the nation, 24/7 puts him 4th, Scout 3rd and ESPNU 2nd.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram