How does Jayson Tatum's age during his draft year compare to other first-round draft picks by the Boston Celtics?
Jayson Tatum is on the cusp of becoming a superstar after leading the Boston Celtics to an NBA Finals appearance last season. Take a look at how the 2021-2022 Eastern Conference Finals MVP age when he was drafted compares to other Celtics draft picks.
Jayson Tatum's age entering the NBA compared to that of Celtics' legends
After playing one season at Duke University, Jayson Tatum was just 19 years old when the Boston Celtics made him the third overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. In just five NBA seasons, Tatum has been named to three All-Star Teams and two All-NBA Teams. At just 24 years old, Tatum is now entering his prime and figures to be a perennial member of both teams.
The Boston Celtics have been one of the NBA's premier organizations. They are tied with their rivals, the LA Lakers, for the most championships in franchise history with seventeen. The franchise has drafted plenty of Hall of Famers and All-Stars in the first-round of the NBA draft.
The greatest player in Boston Celtics history, Bill Russell, notably was acquired in a draft-day trade. Their next greatest player, Larry Bird, was 21 when the Celtics made him the sixth overall pick of the 1978 NBA Draft. Bird played out the final season of his college career before joining the Celtics for the 1979-1980 season.
Bird's long-time teammate Kevin McHale was 22 years old when he was selected third overall two years after Bird. Paul Pierce, who trails only Russell and Bird in career win shares as a Celtic, was taken tenth overall in the 1999 NBA Draft at the age of 20.
Boston's all-time leading scorer, John Havlicek, was 22 years old when the franchise made him the ninth overall pick of the 1962 NBA Draft. Jayson Tatum's teammate in Boston, Jaylen Brown, was selected third overall at the age of 19, like Tatum, in the 2016 NBA Draft, one year prior to Tatum.
Comparing professional career of Jayson Tatum and other notable first-round draft picks
Jayson Tatum is only in the sixth season of his professional career, therefore counting stats puts him at a disadvantage to his Boston contemporaries. Take a look below at how Tatum compares to all-time great Celtics and his Boston teammate.
Only Paul Pierce's stats from his fifteen seasons in Boston were counted. Additionally, Havlicek played before the addition of the three-point line and steals and blocks were only tallied in his final five seasons.