Duke’s Blue vs. White tipoff scrimmage, a rite of fall in Durham, N.C., is a college basketball showcase unlike any other.
And on Oct. 22, 2016, the star quotient was especially high. Eight McDonald’s All-Americans were on the floor, including Chase Jeter, Frank Jackson, Grayson Allen, Luke Kennard, Matt Jones, Marques Bolden and Emile Jefferson.
But it was the youngest of the McDonald’s honorees, 18-year-old Jayson Tatum, who had Steve Pagliuca starting his wish list for the 2017 NBA draft. The Celtics co-owner thought he was watching Paul Pierce.
It was how Tatum neutralized his opponent with a jab step before draining a fadeaway from the baseline, scoring off of contact.