From Self Doubt to Celtics History, Jayson Tatum Discusses Journey to 10,000 Points: 'I Didn't Think I Was Good Enough'

Jayson Tatum registered 32 points in Boston's win over the Nets on Saturday, helping his team improve to 4-0, making Celtics' history in the process.

Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday night in Brooklyn, while guiding his team, the last of the NBA's unbeaten, to a 124-1114 win over the Nets, Jayson Tatum became the youngest player in Boston Celtics history to score 10,000 career points.

What 10k points looks like 😤 pic.twitter.com/E3YfG1JOp0

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 5, 2023

The four-time All-Star finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds, pacing all participants in the two categories, as Boston improved to 4-0 to start the 2023-24 campaign.

After the victory, the two-time All-NBA First Team selection, who became the youngest player in league history to reach the 10,000-point milestone, reflected on his journey.

"First of all, I didn't even want to come (to Boston) because I didn't think I was going to play. They had Gordon, JB, IT, Smart, I didn't think I was good enough to be on that team."

Jayson Tatum asked about getting drafted in Barclays Center back in 2017 pic.twitter.com/7VvLi0Sw3W

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) November 5, 2023

"I was ignorant when I got drafted," stated Tatum. "First of all, I didn't even want to come (to Boston) because I didn't think I was going to play. They had Gordon (Hayward), and JB (Jaylen Brown), and IT (Isaiah Thomas), and (Marcus) Smart; I didn't think I was good enough to be on that team."

The former Duke Blue Devil continued, "It's been a long process. I've had to learn through the ups and downs, through my mistakes of late-game decisions or whatever it may be; just growing pains and playing enough games, being in enough playoff series, you learn from those things."

Further Reading

Jayson Tatum Makes Celtics History, Boston at Its Best in Final Frame, Improves to 5-0 with Win vs. Nets

Joe Mazzulla Sheds Light on Key Area of Growth for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown

Jrue Holiday Discusses Celtics' Offense and Their Mindset: 'That's How Most People Like to Play Basketball'

Weighing Whether Celtics Should Sign Danny Green

After Dominant Display vs. Wizards, Celtics Discuss Not Playing Down to Competition

Here's Where Jaylen Brown Impressed Joe Mazzulla the Most in Celtics' Win vs. Heat

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Celtics Embracing Sacrifice in Championship Pursuit: 'Have to Buy into That'

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

Candace Parker on Celtics Trading Marcus Smart, Maximizing Tatum-Brown Tandem, Pat Summitt, and the Sports Matter Initiative

Dwyane Wade Discusses Jayson Tatum's Next Step, Him and Jaylen Brown's Challenge, Heat Culture, Pat Riley, Damian Lillard, and Life After Basketball