The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball program named Jayson Tatum their first-ever chief basketball officer. In that role, the Boston Celtics star will be a special advisor to head coach Jon Scheyer.
"In this role, Jayson will leverage his career success to provide perspective and guidance on basketball development, leadership, and life as a successful athlete, leaning on the lessons he first learned at Duke," the team said in its announcement about the move.
Tatum also spoke to the Duke men's basketball program, addressing the team for the first time in the role of their inaugural chief basketball officer.
CBO JT ➡️ peak Brotherhood 😈🤝@jaytatum0 pic.twitter.com/xF0CeWCwbP
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) October 7, 2025
"We always talk about the brotherhood and how special it is," said the six-time All-Star. "I remember being in college, and the cool thing about this program is everybody that came before me, even if I never met them before, genuinely wanted me to be the best version of myself. And it's not like that everywhere else. It's not like that in a professional career, whether it's basketball or something else. And I think that's really special."
That support is why "The Brotherhood," as they call it, remains so strong. Whether one played for Mike Krzyzewski, Bill E. Foster, Scheyer, or a different bench boss during their time with the Blue Devils, alumnus spanning across generations lend their time and strive to give back to the program.
"Everybody that came before me wanted me to be special," Tatum told the team's student-athletes. "I want the best for all of you guys, right? And I think that's why we made this relationship formal or whatever. I've always supported you guys. I talk to Jon and them all the time. But for me, it's just about getting to know you guys better. However I can help. [I'll] come around more often."
Jayson Tatum's message to the Blue Devils
The four-time All-NBA selection is a busy individual. He's dedicated to his rehab process as he works his way back from a torn Achilles. He also has a boatload of off-court partners and sponsorships. Not to mention, a family to help raise.
However, despite everything on his plate, Tatum wanted to make it abundantly clear to the team that not only will he be around more, but he is only a phone call, a text, or a direct message away.
"I know I've got a good relationship with some of y'all, but I want to have a better one, right?" said the Celtics star. "Whatever questions y'all have that you maybe feel like you can't ask the coaches, or somebody, whether it's about basketball, NIL, agents, or whatever it may be, I genuinely want the best for you guys. So, that's what it's going to be.
"When I was younger, I had people ask or say, 'Yo, if you've got any questions, reach out.' And I always thought, 'Man, maybe they're too busy, or I was worried about interrupting their time,'" conveyed Tatum. He then stressed, "I'm telling you guys, take my number. If you have any questions, whatever, I'm always around, always available."