While Jayson Tatum witnessed the departure of Marcus Smart, a key player for the Celtics, and his closest friend on the club, Grant Williams, this summer, changes with the coaching staff brought in another individual with deep links to the four-time All-Star.
Reunited with his Duke university teammate Tatum, Amile Jefferson joins the Celtics as an assistant coach. In 2020, Boston acquired the former on an Exhibit 10 contract.
Under Mike Krzyzewski, Jefferson most recently served as the Blue Devils’ director of player developme𝚗t for the me𝚗’s basketball programme. He was later elevated to assistant coach by Jon Scheyer.
At Summer League, he told Boston Globe reporter Adam Himmelsbach, of his new position, “It all kind of just fell into line perfectly.”
Jefferson went on, “Duke was a great place, and I liked being there, but I felt like the next step in my path was to work for an organisation like this, where I could learn, grow, and compete at the top level. I am eager to start working.”
He first got to know the star player for the Celtics, who he will now coach, when he took on a mentoring role as a fifth-year senior during Tatum’s freshman season.
Jefferson was particularly struck by Himmelsbach’s statement that “he was suρer physical, and you don’t really find freshmen that seek out the contact.” Regarding the St. Louis standout, the Philadelphia native continued, “He would go into people’s bodies.” He would entice you in. He desired to be struck. And he was proficient in all of those abilities. He had advanced.”
Jefferson further states that he doesn’t think that his connection with Tatum would interfere with his ability to coach the greatest player in Boston or carry out his duties, saying, “I think nothing really changes, especially for me,” and “I always tell him how I feel, whether good, bad, or indifferent.”
And even though the latter’s first six years in the NBA have included two straight selections to the All-NBA First Team, four trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, coming within two wins of a championship, leading the league in points scored this past season, and MVP honours for the All-Star Game, Jefferson thinks he’s still a long way from reaching his potential.
Jefferson said, “He still has so much more to do.” “He’s just twenty-five.” Not even close to reaching his prime. Considering how excellent he is now, it is absurd to think that he will get even better. But I can’t wait to watch him develop.”
Working more closely with the team’s younger players in his player enhancement position, Jefferson will aid in their growth in the same way that he assisted Tatum’s when the latter was a freshman at Duke. But Boston’s top scorer undoubtedly appreciates having a friend from college join the Celtics, especially with Williams and Smart leaving.