It’s a scenario that resonates with any coach in any team sport—an upset parent questioning why their child isn’t getting playing time.
Now, Brandy Cole, the mother of NBA superstar Jayson Tatum, has found herself in that very position.
Frustrated and seeking answers, she took to social media to voice her concerns about why her son isn’t seeing more action on the court for Team USA.
As Team USA heads into the gold medal final against France at the Paris Olympics, following a narrow 95-91 victory over Serbia in the semifinals, Cole has become increasingly vocal about her son’s lack of playing time.
Despite Tatum’s impressive credentials—leading the Boston Celtics to an NBA Championship and being a three-time first-team All-NBA selection—he has been benched for two full games in this tournament, leaving his mother and fans puzzled.
Cole expressed her frustrations in a direct response to ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale, who also questioned Tatum’s limited minutes in Paris. Vitale tweeted, “Someone pls let me know is @jaytatum0 injured as he hasn’t received the PT (playing time) u would expect an All-NBA player to get.”
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Cole didn’t hold back in her reply, stating, “No, he’s not [injured]. But if you find out what’s going on, please let me know – unacceptable and makes NO SENSE.” Her frustration was further amplified when she reposted a comment from Barstool Sports’ Dan Greenberg, who wrote, “If Kerr is watching this and willingly deciding ‘Yeah, Jayson Tatum couldn’t help here,’ then he legitimately cannot coach in 2028.”
The situation has raised questions about the decision-making process of Team USA head coach Steve Kerr.
In response to the mounting criticism, Kerr explained that Tatum’s absence from the lineup is not a reflection of his performance but rather a matter of balancing rotations and combinations on the court. “It’s just a math problem,” Kerr said, emphasizing that the decision is about finding the right mix of players to complement each other. “It’s not about anything Jayson is doing or not doing. It’s just about combinations and the way that group has played together, the way Kevin [Durant] has filled in since he came back from his injury.”
Kerr also revealed that he had spoken to Tatum prior to the games to explain how the rotations might unfold, noting that Tatum was “incredibly professional” about the situation.
Kerr added, “I went with the combinations that I felt like would make sense. And that’s tonight. It doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way the rest of the tournament. He’ll make his mark.”
As Team USA prepares for the gold medal game, the spotlight remains on Kerr’s choices and whether Tatum will finally get the chance to contribute on the biggest stage.
For now, Tatum’s mother, along with many fans, will be anxiously watching, hoping for a resolution that puts one of the NBA’s brightest stars back in the game.
