Jayson Tatum comes to USA Basketball with a sense of championship triumph.

Since the Boston Celtics secured the 2024 NBA championship, the three-word greeting has been a delightful sound for Jayson Tatum. It becomes even more special when it is uttered by his esteemed USA Basketball teammates.

“The guys who have won championships understand the feeling, what it’s like and what it takes,” Tatum told Andscape. “Every time they see me, they say, ‘What’s up, champ?’ It’s definitely good to hear that from your peers.”

Participating in the Olympics as an NBA champion also results in increased basketball activity and a brief offseason, a situation Tatum views as a positive aspect while representing USA Basketball in the Paris Olympics. Tatum logged an average of 35.7 minutes per game across 74 regular-season games for the Celtics in the previous season, ranking fourth in the NBA for total minutes played (768.4). Additionally, the 26-year-old athlete led his team by playing an average of 40.4 minutes per game in 19 postseason matches on their way to securing the championship. The Celtics clinched the 2024 NBA title on June 17.

USA Basketball initiated their Olympic training on July 7 in Las Vegas. Tatum was granted permission to join on July 8 due to personal reasons, rest, and to finalize his new lucrative five-year, $313 million contract, as confirmed by USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill to Andscape. Following two training sessions, Tatum contributed eight points in 17 minutes coming off the bench during USA’s 86-72 exhibition triumph over Canada on July 10 in Las Vegas. Moreover, Tatum showcased his skills with seven points, five assists, and four rebounds as a starter in 21 minutes during a 98-92 exhibition victory against Australia on Monday in Abu Dhabi. Given the team's roster of 12 NBA stars, it is unlikely that heavy minutes will be required from any player on most occasions for Team USA. "It feels quite unusual to be back on the court," Tatum expressed after the game against Canada. "It will certainly take some time to regain my rhythm and physical condition.

However, mentally, I feel prepared. It's great to be reunited with these teammates. Initially, you may think you can take it easy out there. But once you step back on the court and lace up your shoes, I'm eager to get back into that competitive mindset... “It’s USA Basketball. We got 12 great guys we try to maneuver. We have to figure out how coach is going to play us. You just have to be ready to do amazing things out there. We just have to understand that we have a good team. When you go out there, do your thing. When you are not, cheer on your teammates.”

Tatum, a seasoned USA Basketball player, has achieved gold medals in the postponed 2020 Olympics, 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship, 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship, and the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 Championship. When questioned about concerns regarding Tatum's fatigue, 51-year-old Hill humorously expressed more concern about his own fatigue than that of someone nearly half his age.

“Jayson has been a part of USA Basketball going back to his high school days,” Hill told Andscape. “A guy who has won gold medals on a junior level, played in the World Cup. Won a gold medal in 2021. He has had a lot going on in the last month for him.

“We knew he’d be ready and he’d be a professional. He’s super-engaged even when he was apart. We connected with him and made sure that the messaging we had as a team he was put into. He’s not only a guy that can help us win this summer, but he can help us win for years to come.”

Tatum is not the sole Celtics player on the USA's Olympic roster, as he will be accompanied by Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. White stepped in as a replacement for the injured Kawhi Leonard, who withdrew from the team on July 10. Jaylen Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP from the Celtics, expressed disappointment on social media for not being added to the roster after Leonard's exit. Tatum mentioned to Andscape last week that he had not conversed with Brown, but he was thrilled to have two Celtics teammates by his side. "We are bringing more championship DNA to the roster," Tatum stated. In 1992, USA Basketball stars Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, who played for the Chicago Bulls, were the first NBA players to achieve an Olympic gold medal and an NBA championship in the same year. LeBron James won an NBA title with the Miami Heat in 2012 and a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics. In 2016, Kyrie Irving won an NBA title with the Cleveland Cavaliers and an Olympic gold medal.

Holiday and Khris Middleton also secured a title with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 and a gold medal in the postponed 2020 Olympics. With a gold medal in Paris, Tatum and White will join the list of NBA champions and Olympic gold medalists. Holiday and James would be the only players to achieve this feat twice. "It would be an incredible year. A fantastic summer. I have no complaints," Tatum remarked.