No matter the setting, no matter the venue, no matter the team, 6’2 2017 Donte Tatum performs. Our first time laying eyes on Tatum was at one of our AAU events last year. He was then a freshman, playing in the 15U Division. The coaches told us to watch out for him, but none of us had heard of him before.
Tatum made sure to announce himself quickly, and loudly. While he finished with 25 points that game, his most memorable sticks out like a sore thumb. They were lined up for a free throw, Tatum at the top of the key. The free throw caroms off the front of the rim and BANG!! a thunderous put back. Wait…What happened'! Tatum came in from the top of the arc, took off from the third hash mark, and finished high and loud above the rim.
From that point, Phenom Hoops started to do like the AAU coach, we told people to watch out for him. Tatum came into his sophomore year at Cary High School, where he again made the Varsity team and was again given a starting position. Last season, as a Freshman Varsity starter Tatum averaged 11.5 points.
During his previous year, his sophomore season, Tatum took advantage of the opportunity, and kept taking advantage throughout the season. Tatum finished as one of the conference, and area, leaders in scoring at 21 points per game.
Tatum, who plays for Wake County Basketball Association (WCBA) 16U team, came to both the Phenom Hoops Challenge and the Grassroots Tip Off Classic. Each time out he did the same, produce. Playing in the 16s age group at the Phenom Hoops Challenge, Tatum averaged 18 points per game. Playing up in the 17s age group at the Grassroots Tip Off Classic, Tatum averaged 15 points per game.
Tatum’s game is predicated on motor, strength, and explosion, he plays like a bully. Tatum attacks the rim, where he is crafty in the lane. He absorbs contact, finishes through it, then he makes his free throws. It is inevitable that Tatum will drop your jaw, like he did with us last year, with at least one athletic showing in each game. In fact, nothing is really traditional about Tatum’s game. He just wants it more, and will beat you up to take it.
Tatum is a must watch 2017 player, and start doing so now. You will need to see him multiple times, so you know this is what he does every time out. But, be sure to get out and see him he will get you excited.