Hawks coach Tatum considered quitting when son's Achilles tore
Hawks coach Tatum considered quitting after his son Jayson ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for Boston.
Justin Tatum, 47, was in Bendigo for a pre-season NBL event when his son got injured during NBA play. ESPN reported the Hawks coach offered to quit coaching and fly home from Asia immediately.
Tatum is based almost 17,000 kilometres from his three children in the US. Tatum spoke this week about the strain of distance and missing his family, though he loves his job in Wollongong.
A phone call between father and son helped Jayson through the immediate crisis. Tatum has been his son's biggest basketball influence, coaching him as a child and shaping his path to becoming an NBA star.
Why it mattersThe story reveals the real cost of coaching abroad: elite athletes and coaches often live far from family, and a career-defining injury can force impossible choices between work and presence.
AustraliaTatum's role as Illawarra Hawks head coach has raised the profile of the NBL in Australia, but his personal story highlights how Australian-based sports leaders manage families overseas.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 8 d ago
