Jayson Tatum jersey number: How Celtics star is honoring Lakers legend Kobe Bryant in 2024 Olympics

Kyle Irving

Jayson Tatum jersey number: How Celtics star is honoring Lakers legend Kobe Bryant in 2024 Olympics image

Jayson Tatum has not been shy to admit his admiration for Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.

Even as a Celtics superstar, Tatum cannot help but look past the franchise's embedded disdain for Los Angeles and frequently pay tribute to his childhood idol — and rightfully so.

Bryant's everlasting impact on basketball is evident through the many star players who still try to emulate his game.

Tatum is at the forefront of Kobe prototypes, and he'll honor his hero — again — with his jersey number selection for USA Basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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Jayson Tatum honors Kobe Bryant with Team USA jersey number

When Tatum made his Olympic debut for USA Basketball at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, there was little doubt as to which number he would choose.

Tatum paid respect to his idol by donning Bryant's Team USA No. 10, helping his country take home a gold medal just as Bryant did twice. 

Suiting back up for Team USA in 2024, it was inevitable which number Tatum would choose.

"It's nothing short of an honor to be able to represent this uniform and wear No. 10," Tatum told the media at USA Basketball training camp.

"Anyone who remotely knows me knows how much influence he had on me as a kid and inspired me to reach my goals. It's definitely something I don't take for granted or take lightly."

This was far from Tatum's first tribute to Bryant. There is a lengthy list of other times the Celtics star has honored the Lakers legend, which The Sporting News detailed ahead of the marquee rivalry matchup on Christmas Day.

Players to wear No. 10 for USA Basketball

Here is the complete list of players to wear No. 10 at the Olympics for USA Basketball, courtesy of its online record book.

PlayerOlympic Years
Jayson Tatum2020, 2024
Kyrie Irving2016
Kobe Bryant2008, 2012
Emeka Okafor2004
Kevin Garnett2000
Reggie Miller1996
Clyde Drexler1992
Willie Anderson1988
Joe Kleine1984
Rodney McCray1980
Kenny Carr1976
James Forbes1972
Bill Hosket1968
Walt Hazzard1964
Lester Lane1960
Ron Tomsic1956
Marcus Freiberger1952

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.