Jayson Tatum once shared the stage with Sydney McLaughlin to win most prestigious honor in high school sports
This summer, Jayson Tatum and Sydney McLaughlin were two of the countless athletes competing for the United States in the 2024 Olympics. Looking back at their history, this is not the first time the two have shared a big stage together.
Back in 2016, Tatum and McLaughlin shared the prestigious honor of being named Gatorade Athletes of the Year. At the time, Tatum had just finished up his senior year of high school and was getting ready to head to Duke for college. As a senior, the future All-Star and champion averaged nearly 30 points per game.
As for McLaughlin, she was a junior in high school and making a name for herself in track. This award came on the heels of her being named to Team USA for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
After winning this award, Jayson Tatum had a successful year at Duke and was drafted third overall by the Boston Celtics in 2017. McLaughlin didn't make the finals in the 2016 Olympics, but it started what has been an extended run for her with Team USA in the Summer Games.
Jayson Tatum and Sydney McLaughlin both secure gold medals in 2024 Olympics
Eight years after winning Athlete of the Year in high school, Jayson Tatum and Sydney McLaughlin are enjoying success together again. They both walked out of the Paris Games with a gold medal for Team USA.
Tatum was one of the numerous stars on the United States' roster. While he was a big topic for his minimal playing time, the Boston Celtics forward still won gold. This continued his run of success this summer after winning his first NBA title back in June.
McLaughlin won not one but two gold medals in the 2024 Olympics. She won individually in the women's 400-meter hurdles and then was part of the 4x400-meter relay team that secured gold.
Between these two athletes is now a total of six gold medals in the Olympics. During the 2020 Summer Games, Tatum and McLaughlin each won their first medals. Tatum secured gold in basketball, and McLaughlin won a pair again as an individual and with the relay team.
With the Olympics now over, Jayson Tatum has a brief period to rest and recuperate. In a little over a month, he'll be returning to the Celtics to get ready for training camp.
Playing competitively year-round provides a tall task for Tatum. With the Celtics in a position to repeat as champions, the star forward has to prepare his body for what could be another long season.