EAST ST. LOUIS – Even as a champion in the NBA with the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum has not forgotten his hometown roots.
NBA player Jayson Tatum visited Dr. Katie Harper Wright Elementary School in East St. Louis School District 189 recently, where he met with student-athletes, spent time with the Wright Elementary basketball team and Coach Khalil Rainey, and congratulated the team on its season.
The Celtics secured their most recent NBA title in the 2023-2024 basketball season and have a record 18 championships.
The district said Tatum’s appearance was a “special visit” aimed at encouraging students and recognizing the Wright Elementary team’s accomplishments after it finished second in the conference.
“Mr. Tatum spent time with the Wright Elementary basketball team and Coach Khalil Rainey, encouraging students and celebrating their outstanding season,” the district said.
The district said the team “continues to demonstrate hard work, teamwork, and school pride both on and off the court.”
The district thanked Tatum for “taking the time to inspire our students and make today a memorable experience for our Wright Knights.”
Tatum is an NBA player for the Boston Celtics. According to the provided biographical information, he was selected by Boston with the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft and won his first NBA title in the 2024 Finals.
As a senior in 2015–16, Tatum averaged 29.6 points and 9.1 rebounds and posted six 40-point games while leading Chaminade to its second Missouri Class 5A state championship. He also played for a year at Duke University.
