NBA Champion Named Duke's First Chief Basketball Officer

This legendary Duke player has made a triumphant return to the program in a new capacity.

Feb 5, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Detailed view of the Duke Blue Devils logo on a uniform prior to the game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Continuing to move on from the legacy of ex-HC Mike Krzyzewski, the Duke Blue Devils just crowned their first "Chief Basketball Officer". Upon creating the role, they knew exactly the man for the job.

2024 NBA Champion, Jayson Tatum, who played on Duke from 2016-17, was named the team's first CFO. The six-time NBA All-Star made the ACC All-Freshman team before being drafted No. 3 overall by the Boston Celtics.

Oct 3, 2025; Durham, NC, USA; Jayson Tatum, NBA Boston Celtics Player helps coach alongside Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer during the Countdown to Craziness at the Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

His run at Duke may have been short, but his legacy will live on forever. Now, Tatum can return to the college that helped guide his basketball career to the next level, something he would love to help the next generation accomplish.

Tatum's Thoughts

"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'," Tatum told the team. "I'm telling you guys, take my number. If you have any questions, whatever, I'm always around, always available."

Jayson Tatum's message to the Duke men's basketball team after becoming their inaugural chief basketball officer:

"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… https://t.co/osjesWO0EZ

— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) October 7, 2025

The Duke Men's Basketball account posted a 90-second video of Tatum speaking to the team upon being announced as their first CBO. Tatum, who has plenty on his plate with the upcoming NBA season, has somehow found a way to add this to his non-stop schedule.

Since it is a new role, Duke made sure to clarify the exact rules of their CBO: "The Chief Basketball Officer will serve as a special advisor to the Head Coach, bringing a wealth of professional basketball experience and championship-level insight to Duke Men's Basketball and Head Coach Jon Scheyer."

Oct 3, 2025; Durham, NC, USA; Jayson Tatum, NBA Boston Celtics Player helps coach alongside Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer during the Countdown to Craziness at the Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

"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 here at Duke," the statement concluded.

Tatum, 28, had the honor of working with Scheyer, 38, before he was the team's head coach. Scheyer joined Duke as an assistant in 2014, performing those duties until he became associate HC in 2018.

Mar 24, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; James Madison Dukes players huddle up on the center court logo during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

In Scheyer's short tenure as head coach, he's coming off his most successful season yet. The Blue Devils just reached the Final Four after a successful season where they were both the ACC regular season and tournament champions.

Currently in the hunt for a few crucial recruits, Tatum will do everything in his power to shape not only the current state of the team but future recruits as well.

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball recruiting news.