ST. LOUIS – St. Louis has been without an NBA team for over 55 years now after the Hawks packed their things and transitioned to Atlanta in 1968. Although the city doesn’t have its own top-notch professional basketball team, there are a few homegrown talents to follow with the 2024-25 NBA season on the horizon.
The new NBA season kicks off Tuesday with the defending NBA Champions, the Boston Celtics, facing off against the New York Knicks. Before the game kicks off, a special ceremony will be held that will feature St. Louis native and NBA superstar Jayson Tatum receiving his first championship ring and seeing the unveiling of the Celtics 18th championship banner in TD Garden.
Before fans travel and sit back to watch all of the dunks and shots go up from the world’s best ballers, let’s take a look at the athletes with St. Louis roots that NBA fans can cheer a little bit harder for.
Jayson Tatum, SF, Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum kisses the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after Game 5 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Dallas Mavericks, Monday, June 17, 2024, in Boston. At right is Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)
Jayson Tatum, 26, has emerged as one of the NBA’s best players and continues to rep his hometown in a big way. Tatum was born and raised in St. Louis. He played high school basketball for Chaminade College Preparatory School in Creve Coeur, rallying the program to back-to-back Final Four state appearances and earning a state championship to close out his high school career.
Coming out of high school, Tatum was a highly recruited prospect, being ranked No. 2 nationally in ESPN’s Class of 2016 Top 100. Tatum would go on to attend Duke University and would spend one season with Duke University before being drafted with the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics.
Entering his eighth season in the NBA, the five-time All-Star has spent the entirety of his professional career with the Boston Celtics and is coming off his first NBA championship. Tatum plays a balanced game, averaging around 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game over his last five NBA seasons.
In July, Tatum signed a 5-year, $314 million supermax extension, which is the largest contract in NBA history.
Bradley Beal, SG, Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) celebrates after a basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Beal, 31, was born and raised in St. Louis and played high school basketball at Chaminade College Preparatory School in Creve Coeur. During his time at Chaminade, Beal was able to emerge on the national scene, averaging 32.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game during his senior year.
Coming out of high school, Beal was highly recruited and was ranked No. 5 nationally in ESPN’s Class of 2011 Top 100. Beal committed to the University of Florida, where he only played one season before getting drafted with the third overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2012 NBA Draft. Throughout his career on the Wizards, Beal emerged as one of the NBA’s top scorers, averaging 22.1 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game through 11 seasons, earning him a 5-year, $251 million maximum contract in 2022.
After experiencing various losing seasons through 11 years with the Wizards, Beal waived his no-trade clause in 2023 and was sent to the Phoenix Suns in an effort to play on a winning team. In his first season with the team, Beal was riddled with multiple injuries, limiting him to only 53 games.
After getting swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Beal looks to bounce back and lead the Phoenix Suns with his star teammates, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Jordan Goodwin, PG, Los Angeles Lakers
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – APRIL 06: Jordan Goodwin #4 of the Memphis Grizzlies brings the ball up court during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at FedExForum on April 06, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Goodwin, 25, was born and raised in the St. Louis region’s St. Clair County in Illinois and graduated from Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville before becoming a standout athlete at St. Louis University. During his time with the Billikens from 2017-2021, Goodwin became the program’s all-time leader in steals and entered the Top 5 for rebounds (4th) and assists (5th).
Since going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Goodwin has been known to be a disruptive defender. Goodwin has had previous stints with the Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, and Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 6.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game.
Goodwin started training camp on the Lakers through an Exhibit 10 contract, a one-year, non-guaranteed minimum salary deal that would require Goodwin to earn a role on the team through his play. According to Fox Sports, Goodwin was waived by the Lakers in a set of moves at the end of the preseason.
Despite being waived, Goodwin will likely play for the team’s development team, the South Bay Lakers, unless another team comes and picks him up.
