Duke University announced Tuesday that Jayson Tatum has been named the men’s basketball program’s first-ever chief basketball officer, making him the first player in college basketball to hold such a position.
The Boston Celtics star will act as a special advisor to head coach Jon Scheyer, focusing on player development, roster construction, and mentoring.
Tatum will volunteer his time to meet with players about career planning and personal branding, while also holding regular virtual sessions with the coaching staff to provide insight from his NBA experience.
“Jayson is the ultimate professional. His ability to inspire, motivate, and guide our student-athletes is unmatched,” Scheyer said.
Tatum, who averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in his lone season at Duke in 2016–17, said the role was deeply personal.
“This program means so much to me … To have the chance to formalize my relationship with the program and broaden my ability to impact the players and culture means the world to me.”
Currently recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in the 2025 NBA playoffs, Tatum is expected to miss most or all of the 2025–26 season, giving him additional time to stay involved with Duke.
Duke Names Jayson Tatum College Basketball's First Chief Basketball Officer https://t.co/MmJhgK2pNJ
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