"Kobe is definitely happy for Tatum": Duke fans react to Blue Devils alum Jayson Tatum winning 2024 NBA championship

The Boston Celtics recently captured their record 18th NBA title over the Dallas Mavericks, and young Cs star Jayson Tatum was aptly celebrated afterward by his alma mater, Duke University. A few fans also chimed in to congratulate the newly crowned NBA champion online.

The official page of Duke Men`s Basketball posted on X a few snaps from Tatum`s postgame celebration after the Celtics finally dispatched the Mavs in Game 5.

In the replies, a lot of love was thrown JT`s way for at last scaling the NBA mountaintop. One fan even shouted out Tatum`s mentor, the late great Kobe Bryant:

"All Celtics hate aside, kobe is definitely happy for tatum," one fan wrote.

Three other (presumably Duke) fans chimed in online, once again giving Tatum his flowers for the immense accomplishment.

"My guy 🥹💙🏆," writes one fan.

"I couldn’t be happier for this man," says another.

"THE DOGGGG," enthusiastically writes another fan.

On the mention of Kobe Bryant, a lot of fans are definitely chirping online about his and Jayson Tatum`s connection, and for good reason. As previously mentioned, Tatum was mentored by the Lakers legend right from his rookie year in 2018 up until Bryant`s untimely passing.

The former Duke forward burst into the NBA scene by helping the Celtics take a LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Then just a rookie, Tatum averaged 18.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists for Boston in that 2018 playoff run to help a team that was missing Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.

Now, with Jayson Tatum having won his first championship, fans are once more talking about his connection with Kobe. But as Tatum himself already made it clear in the past, he still has some regrets about that (via Clutch Points):

“I can’t believe that he’s not here anymore,” Tatum said. “And the thing that I regret is I wish I would’ve called him more. I wish I would’ve texted him more. I just always thought he was so busy. I never wanted to bother him.”

Jayson Tatum joins a small list of Duke players with NBA ring

Having won his own NBA title, Jayson Tatum is now a part of a list of Duke men`s hoops legends who have done the same. He is now only the eighth former Blue Devil to win an NBA championship.

Most notable among these players is Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving, who was on the receiving end of Tatum and the Celtics` barrage this year. Irving won his in 2016 with LeBron James.

Further down the list, there`s Shane Battier (2x with Miami), Quinn Cook (2x with Golden State and LA Lakers), then one each for Jeff Mullins (Warriors), Dahntay Jones (Cleveland), Danny Ferry (San Antonio), and Jack White (Denver).