Jayson Tatum is getting hands-on experience with his new Boston Celtics head coach right off the bat.
Ime Udoka is an assistant coach on the Team USA basketball squad heading to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. That means he gets to put in extra work with the Celtics' star player -- and the two are taking full advantage of the opportunity.
Tatum explains why he can 'easily relate' to Udoka
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The Celtics shared an entertaining video of Udoka playing defense on Tatum as the 23-year-old worked on his moves in the high and low post. There's a third Celtic in the video, as well: That's reported new assistant coach Will Hardy passing to Tatum from the top of the key.
Udoka and Hardy both were assistants on the staff of San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who's the head coach of Team USA. Thanks to the Popovich connection, Udoka and Hardy can spend valuable offseason time getting to know Tatum and his game up close.
The Americans have hit some rough patches during training camp in Las Vegas, losing two exhibition matches and seeing Bradley Beal and Kevin Love withdraw from the roster to be replaced by Keldon Johnson and JaVale McGee. Tatum also missed Tuesday's win over Argentina due to right knee soreness, but it looks like he's feeling no worse for wear.
Boston Celtics
Team USA has one more tune-up contest Sunday night against Spain before traveling to Tokyo for the Olympics, which begin July 24.