Jayson Tatum was put in an unusual spot in the United States’ quest to win a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics, getting benched for a pair of games. But his coach was a fan of his composure through the situation.

In an interview with NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner, United States head coach Steve Kerr tipped his cap to Tatum for how he managed the benchings and his uneven role during the Olympics.

“Those guys were all great,” Kerr told Aschburner. “Jayson handled things so well. Then obviously it became a media subject, but he couldn’t have handled it better. Tyrese [Haliburton], same thing. Every game was different. And we talked about that from the first night – 12 superstars and probably only nine can play consistent minutes.

“They handled themselves really professionally and pulled for each other. I couldn’t be prouder of them all.”

Tatum’s performance in the Olympics was a bit of a roller coaster, with the Celtics’ star’s two benchings becoming one of the top storylines surrounding Team USA. He didn’t play in its 26-point win to open the Olympics against Serbia, but he started the next two games. Tatum had a double-double against Puerto Rico to close out group play, leading the team in minutes that game.

As it seemed Tatum had assumed a regular role in the rotation, his playing situation was thrown for a loop again at the start of the knockout stage. He was the 11th player to enter the game in the USA’s win over Brazil in the quarterfinals. He didn’t play when the USA took on Serbia again in the semifinals, getting stuck to the bench in the four-point win.

Jayson Tatum was put in an unusual spot in the United States’ quest to win a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics, getting benched for a pair of games. But his coach was a fan of his composure through the situation.

In an interview with NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner, United States head coach Steve Kerr tipped his cap to Tatum for how he managed the benchings and his uneven role during the Olympics.

“Those guys were all great,” Kerr told Aschburner. “Jayson handled things so well. Then obviously it became a media subject, but he couldn’t have handled it better. Tyrese [Haliburton], same thing. Every game was different. And we talked about that from the first night – 12 superstars and probably only nine can play consistent minutes.

“They handled themselves really professionally and pulled for each other. I couldn’t be prouder of them all.”

Tatum’s performance in the Olympics was a bit of a roller coaster, with the Celtics’ star’s two benchings becoming one of the top storylines surrounding Team USA. He didn’t play in its 26-point win to open the Olympics against Serbia, but he started the next two games. Tatum had a double-double against Puerto Rico to close out group play, leading the team in minutes that game.

As it seemed Tatum had assumed a regular role in the rotation, his playing situation was thrown for a loop again at the start of the knockout stage. He was the 11th player to enter the game in the USA’s win over Brazil in the quarterfinals. He didn’t play when the USA took on Serbia again in the semifinals, getting stuck to the bench in the four-point win.

The noise surrounding Tatum’s benching grew even louder following the semifinals against Serbia, with each of his parents questioning the decision on social media. Tatum wound up playing in the final against France, recording two points and three rebounds in 11 minutes off the bench.

Tatum finished the tournament averaging 5.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and one assist in 17.7 minutes per game. Those numbers were all down from Tatum’s contributions in the 2020 Summer Olympics, when he was Team USA’s second-leading scorer in the tournament en route to winning a gold medal.

As Tatum’s role diminished in 2024, he wouldn’t commit to playing in the 2028 Summer Olympics, but said he wouldn’t let any emotions from the Paris Games impact his decision.

“It was a tough personal experience on the court, but I’m not going to make any decision off emotions,” Tatum told reporters following the gold medal win. “If you asked me right now if I was going to play in 2028 – it is four years from now and I [would have] to take time and think about that. So I’m not going to make any decision based off how this experience was or how I felt individually.”

Tatum’s Olympic experience has led many to circle the days that the Celtics will take on the Warriors in the 2024-25 season. Boston will host Golden State on Nov. 6, and Kerr is expecting a less-than-friendly welcome at the TD Garden that night.

“I think they’re going to be all over me,” Kerr told Aschburner with a laugh. “That’s fine.”