It appears there’s currently **no credible ESPN report or major news coverage** confirming that the Boston Celtics are officially planning a bronze statue honoring Jayson Tatum. I couldn’t locate any recent articles or announcements—whether on ESPN, The Athletic, Boston Globe, or other reputable outlets—stating that such a statue project has been greenlit.
### What we *do* know about Tatum and potential honors:
* **Boston has historically honored legends** with bronze statues outside TD Garden—like Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett in the past
* Jayson Tatum, at just 27, already ranks among the Celtics’ all-time greats: an NBA champion (2024), six-time All-Star, multiple-time All-NBA First Team, and a leading figure in the franchise’s resurgence
* **Fans and online chatter**—especially on Celtics forums—have speculated and enthusiastically discussed hypothetical Tatum statues, including visions of him in full armor or mid-shot pose .
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### So what’s the current picture?
#### 🏀 Tatum’s Hallmark Credentials:
* Key architect of the Celtics’ 2024 NBA title and Eastern Conference dominance ([insider.espn.com][4]).
* Record-setting performer (e.g., triple-doubles, 37‑point playoff games) ([espn.com.sg][5]).
* Cultural icon in Boston: a high-character role model, community pillar, and beloved public figure .
#### 🧱 Bronze statue status: Myth or nearly-certain?
* **No “official” confirmation** Yet: No statements from the team, city officials, or credible outlets about design, funding, site, or timeline.
* **Expected, but premature**: Given Tatum’s age and active career, conversations about a statue—while common among fans—would realistically come **after** retirement and Hall of Fame entry.
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### Why this matters:
Many Celtics legends earned statues **post-retirement**, after establishing broader historical impact. Tatum, while already elite, is still in the midst of what may become a Hall-of-Fame level career. Any formal statue plans would typically emerge as part of:
1. **Retirement celebrations**,
2. **Hall of Fame inductions**, or
3. **Commemorative milestones** like multiple titles or franchise records.
For example, Paul Pierce’s statue was unveiled in 2018, years after his retirement in 2017.
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### If you’re writing a feature article or report, here’s how you could approach it:
1. **Introduce the rumor**: “Fans and social media have abuzz with speculation that the Celtics will one day honor Tatum with a bronze statue outside TD Garden.”
2. **Recap Tatum’s stellar résumé**: 2024 champion, six-time All-Star, signature performances, leadership on and off the court—supported by the stats and sources above.
3. **Contextualize the timing**: Highlight the usual sequence—retirement → Hall of Fame → statue announcement—and note where Tatum currently sits.
4. **Include fan perspective**: Embed forum quotes to show public appetite:
> “I hope when we build a statue for Tatum in Boston it is in armor.”
5. **Clarify the status**: Conclude that while emblematic conversation is understandable, no formal announcement has been made—any “official” plans remain unsubstantiated.
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### Conclusion
* **Status**: As of June 19, 2025, **no actual ESPN confirmation** exists that the Celtics are planning a bronze statue of Jayson Tatum.
* **Truth**: Plausible in the future—Tatum’s achievements warrant consideration.
* **Reality Check**: For now, the “plans” remain rumor and fan wishful thinking—not an announced project.
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If you’d like, I can help proofread or enhance your draft, add more stats on Tatum’s legacy, or dig deeper into statue announcements for other Celtics legends. Just let me know!
