Did Jayson Tatum really grow two inches this year?

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 25: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers during their game at Moda Center on February 25, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

The Boston Celtics head coach claims that young superstar Jayson Tatum actually grew two-inches in height.

On Tuesday evening, the Boston Celtics open up their preseason as they hit the road to face the rival Philadelphia 76ers. With the team falling just short of the NBA Finals in the Walt Disney World bubble, the Celtics are looking to take that experience to propel them to at least the Eastern Conference title. As it turns out, one player on Boston has been growing their game.

When speaking with the media on Sunday, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens claimed that star forward Jayson Tatum actually grew two inches in height from 6-foot-8 to 6-foot-10.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1338232281828356096

Did Tatum really have a growth spurt?

Of course, many had to do a double take after reading Stevens’ comment on their social media feeds. Utah Jazz point guard Donovan Mitchell said there was no way that it could be true, which Tatum replied that it’s his fourth-season as a “19.” Then, there’s Tatum’s teammate in Jaylen Brown, who furthered Stevens’ claims by saying that the star is actually 6-foot-11. So, who’s going to come forward to say that Tatum is actually 7-foot-0? Come on, you know that’s the next possible step.

Bro this my 4th year being “19” I’m still growing 🤣🤣
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) December 14, 2020

My bro really 6’11 https://t.co/6qnEifDlUg
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) December 14, 2020

However, it’s interesting to note that the Celtics’ official website lists Tatum as 6-foot-8. Either they didn’t update his profile yet, or Stevens was simply hyping up the face of the franchise.

Tatum is coming off a strong season with the Celtics, where he averaged 23.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists, while shooting 45.0-percent from the field and 40.3-percent from the three-point line. In 25 postseason games, Tatum averaged 25.7 points and 10.0 rebounds in 40.6 minutes. As a result of his efforts, the Celtics rewarded the 22-year-old with a five-year, $195 million max contract extension back in November.

Growth spurt or not, Celtics fans are hoping Tatum sees growth in his statistics to help lead them to the NBA Finals for the first-time since 2010.

Next. 5 big questions for the Celtics entering the 2020-21 season. dark

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