Jayson Tatum has been making waves in the NBA since entering the league in 2017. The talented forward has quickly become one of the league’s most promising young stars, but one thing that has been missing from his rise to fame is a clear and definitive nickname.

In a recent interview with Daniel Donabedian, Tatum opened up about his preferred nickname and the conversation surrounding NBA nicknames in general.

The topic of nicknames has been a hot one in the basketball world lately, with many players having fun and unique monikers used by fans and analysts. From “The Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo to “The Brow” Anthony Davis, these names have become a part of their identity on and off the court.

But Tatum’s nickname has not been as clear, leading to speculation and confusion among fans. However, the 23-year-old has revealed that he prefers to be called by his last name, Tatum.

“I just stick with Tatum,” he said in the interview. “Tatum sounds better. I think Tatum is kind of cool to say.”

While Tatum may not have a flashy or creative nickname, he has certainly made a name for himself in the NBA. Since being drafted by the Boston Celtics, Tatum has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the court.

He has averaged over 20 points per game in each of the last two seasons, making him one of the league’s top scorers. Tatum has also become known for his clutch performances in big moments, solidifying his status as a rising star in the league.

But despite his impressive skills and accomplishments, Tatum remains humble and grounded. He understands the importance of focusing on his game and not getting caught up in outside distractions like nicknames.

“I try to stay away from that stuff,” he said. “I just try to focus on basketball and let that stuff take care of itself.”

While Tatum may not have a flashy nickname, he is proving that he doesn’t need one to make a name for himself. His talent and hard work speak for themselves and have earned him the respect and recognition of his peers.

And as for the conversation surrounding NBA nicknames, Tatum believes that players should have the freedom to choose their own or simply go by their given name.

“At the end of the day, it’s whatever the player wants,” he said. “If he likes it, he likes it. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t. I think it’s just personal preference.”

With Tatum’s preference for simplicity and focus on his game, it’s clear that he is more concerned with making a mark on the court than coming up with a catchy nickname. And that is just one of the many reasons why fans and analysts admire him.

So while Tatum may not have a flashy or widely-used nickname, he has certainly earned the respect and admiration of the basketball world. And ultimately, that is all that matters.