2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Who is Jayson Tatum?

By Philip Rossman-Reich | May 30, 2017

Mar 8, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) controls the ball against Clemson Tigers forward Jaron Blossomgame (5) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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Draft Sites Say

Mike Schmitz & Derek Bodner, DraftExpress

"Tatum stands just over 6’8″ in shoes, with a 6’11” wingspan and an upper body that looks as if it can fill out over time as he matures physically. He combines that with an advanced, diversified skill level and flashes of two-way potential, which makes it easy to see why Tatum has been a top rated prospect all season long. Tatum’s bread and butter remains his strong isolation game, where nearly a quarter of his possessions came from, according to Synergy Sports Technology. Tatum was either too big, too quick, or too skilled for virtually any defender opponents could throw his way, and Duke exploited that whenever they could, particularly as the season moved along."

NBADraft.net

"6’8 smooth and versatile wing prospect … Good size, length, and fluidity for a wing. Uses size and length to shoot over defenders. Good half-court offensive game … Can score and distribute out of the high post. . . . A high level athlete, but not a jump out of the gym freak … Lacks strength for physical play at higher levels but should add strength in time … Has the ability to make difficult shots but tends to settle for deep contested shots. Fades away at times when it’s unnecessary."

Chris Stone, The Step Back

"Tatum has good size for a wing in the modern NBA. He has a 6-foot-11 wingspan and already weighs in at a reasonable 205 pounds at 19-years old. He’ll still need to add weight to his frame in order to compete against NBA level swingmen, but it should come as he ages and his body fills out. Tatum spent much of his season playing in a small ball power forward role for Duke. That will also likely end up being his best position as a professional as it allows him to maximize his strengths. On the offensive end, Tatum lives in the mid-range — 36.3 percent of his jumpers in the halfcourt came in that area, according to Synergy Sports — where he has the sort of fluid old school game that leans towards plenty of isolation plays and tough shot making. It’s a style that has endeared players like Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony to NBA fans in recent memory."