Blue Devil Country

Bobblehead Included: Duke Basketball Product Aces Honor in Hometown

Duke basketball's Jayson Tatum and his son are soaking up some summer spotlight.
Matt Giles|
Bobblehead Included: Duke Basketball Product Aces Honor in Hometown
Bobblehead Included: Duke Basketball Product Aces Honor in Hometown

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Duke Blue Devils

Former Duke basketball one-and-done and McDonald's All-American out of Chaminade Prep School (Mo.) Jayson Tatum was in his hometown on Tuesday night to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals in their 3-2 loss to the visiting Minnesota Twins.

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With 5-year-old son Deuce right by his side on the mound experiencing "Jayson Tatum Night" festivities — commemorated with his bobblehead given away to patrons — the 25-year-old Boston Celtics forward did precisely what one would expect from a calm, collected superstar like himself.

He confidently delivered what appeared to be a strike. At least, that's what one can assume based on the reaction from the crowd, not to mention his and Deuce's cool look of satisfaction.

Although the Celtics' campaign ended on a sour note at the hands of the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals after they nearly became the first squad in NBA history to climb back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series, it seems Tatum is enjoying his offseason while taking in the occasional fanfare alongside Deuce.

Yes, life looks pretty sweet for the Tatum tandem.

On Saturday night, Jayson Tatum was in Chicago for a surprise dinnertime check-in with Jon Scheyer, his staff, and the 2023-24 Blue Devils, who were all in the Windy City for a camaraderie-building summer field trip.

Tatum, entering his seventh season in Boston since going No. 3 overall at the 2017 NBA Draft following his All-ACC Third Team campaign as a Duke basketball rookie, is coming off his fourth consecutive All-Star season. And for the first time in his career, he's the reigning All-Star Game MVP and a back-to-back All-NBA First Team selection.

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Moreover, at 30.1 points per game, he became the first NBA Blue Devil in history to average 30 or more for a season.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for daily doses of Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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