USA TODAY High School Sports is unveiling the 2015-16 American Family Insurance ALL-USA Boys Basketball Teams as selected by Jim Halley with input from USA TODAY Sports’ Jason Jordan, high school coaches and recruiting experts.
FIRST TEAM: Honoring the top players
VIDEO: Our breakdown of the first team
COACH OF THE YEAR: Steve Baik, Chino Hills (Calif.)
SECOND TEAM: See who made the second team
THIRD TEAM: See who made the third team
PLAYER PROFILE:
Name: Jayson Tatum
School: Chaminade College Prep, St. Louis
Position: Forward
Height: 6-9
College: Signed with Duke
Details: Averaged 29.5 points and 9.1 rebounds. Scored 40 or more points six times this season, including 45 against his father’s team at Christian Brothers (St. Louis) in a state quarterfinal and 40 to lead his team past Kickapoo in the Class 5 state championship.
Season highlight: Obviously winning state is the highlight of my high school career. Nothing is guaranteed. It takes a lot of hard work for that to happen.
Difference this year: Probably us realizing that we can be beaten. Last year, we kind of thought we felt like we couldn’t be touched. We faced defeat in the Final Four and that really woke us up. This year, we kept it in the back of our mind, that feeling we had of coming up short, and knew not to take anyone for granted.
Going against your father: I had to get over the fact that my dad (Justin Tatum) didn’t want me to win the game. It’s a part of his job. Your parents always support you, but for those 30 minutes, he doesn’t want you to win.
On his Twitter handle: My aunt bought me a Nike T-shirt for my birthday one year when I was in the seventh or eighth grade. On the front, it said, “I’m that Dude” and for some reason, it has always stuck with me.
First car I drove: My mom’s Buick La Crosse
My inspiration: Definitely my mom. She’s been a single parent. She was 19 when she had me. For her to raise me by herself as well as go to school, I definitely admire her.
Dream car and color: All-red Lamborghini
Favorite musician: Probably Drake
Hidden talent: The ability to make people laugh. I’m quite the comedian.
Favorite teacher: Probably my history teacher, Mr. Bob Murphy. I just like his style of teaching. He really puts things in perspective. He’s just not reading out of a textbook.
Second-favorite sport: Football. I played from when I was seven until I got to high school.
People confuse me with: Sometimes with Michael Porter (from Father Tolton).
Biggest deal on my phone: Coach K.
Basketball influence: Probably my dad because he’s been there since the beginning, ever since I started playing.