Before Duke University, before Thursday’s NBA Draft, Jayson Tatum was focusing on the Highland Shootout, a vaunted matchup between his Chaminade College Prep squad and Illinois’ top team, Althoff Catholic. It was the best team in Missouri facing off with Illinois’ best.
The scoreboard was close until late, when Chaminade’s five-star Duke signee asserted little doubt over the outcome or who the MVP of the contest would be. Tatum unloaded 32 points alongside 13 rebounds en route to a massive win that coach Frank Bennett ranked among his best memories coaching the soon-to-be NBA draftee.