Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum shared an unforgettable and slightly embarrassing story about the first time he met basketball legend Michael Jordan.
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the reigning NBA champion reflected on his 2019 introduction to His Airness—a moment that didn’t go exactly as planned.
Tatum had just signed with the Jordan Brand and was invited to an exclusive retreat in Paris that summer, just before his third NBA season. It was there, surrounded by some of the biggest names in the game, that he came face-to-face with the GOAT for the very first time.
“It was my first time meeting MJ. They had a bunch of athletes there—it was a big event they used to do every summer before COVID,” Tatum shared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!. “It was my introduction to everyone on the team, like a ‘welcome to the family’ moment.”
However, what should have been a special memory took an awkward turn later that evening at dinner.
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“I walked in… I had just turned 21. MJ was sitting at a table with his wife and Spike Lee. My table was across the room, and I just wanted to go introduce myself again before sitting down,” Tatum admitted. But in that moment, he unknowingly “ruined” what could have been a perfect introduction.
Jayson Tatum admitted that nerves got the best of him during his first meeting with Michael Jordan, leading to an awkward yet memorable moment.
“I was so nervous. My hands were shaking, and when I went to shake his hand, I accidentally knocked over his wine glass,” Tatum recalled. “I spilled it everywhere, broke the glass, and just stood there speechless.”
Despite the mishap, Jordan, who was 61 at the time, took it in stride. “He was super cool about it,” Tatum said. “That’s probably happened to him a thousand times. It’s something we laugh about now.”
Since signing with Jordan Brand in 2019, Tatum has remained a key athlete for the label. He has released three signature shoes, with the latest, the Jordan Tatum 3, launching in September—just in time for the Celtics to begin their defense of their historic 18th NBA championship.
