As Jayson Tatum saw his closest Celtics buddy, Grant Williams, and star player Marcus Smart leave the team this summer, another person with ties to the four-time All-Star was brought in by coaching staff changes.

The Celtics have hired Amile Jefferson as an assistant coach, reuniting him with Tatum, a former Duke University player. An Exhibit 10 contract was used by Boston to acquire the former in 2020.

Jefferson was most recently the director of player development for the men’s basketball program at Duke University under Mike Krzyzewski. After that, Jon Scheyer promoted him to assistant coach.

“It all kind of just fell into line perfectly,” he told Boston Globe reporter Adam Himmelsbach during Summer League of his new position.

Jefferson went on, “Duke was a great place, and I liked being there, but I felt like the next step in my path was to work for an organisation like this, where I could learn, grow, and compete at the top level. I am eager to start working.”

He mentored Tatum during his freshman year as a fifth-year senior, and that’s when he first met the Celtics great player, who he will now coach.

“He was very physical, and you don’t really find freshmen that seek out the contact,” Himmelsbach said, which particularly struck Jefferson. “He would go into people’s bodies,” the Philadelphia native continued, describing the St. Louis standout. To draw you in, he would. He wanted to be hit. All of those skills he possessed were second nature to him. He broke through.

Also, Jefferson says that he doesn’t think his relationship with Tatum would get in the way of him coaching Boston’s best player or doing his job. “I think nothing really changes, especially for me,” he says, adding, “I always tell him how I feel, whether good, bad, or indifferent.”

While the latter has had a stellar first six years in the NBA, including two consecutive All-NBA First Team selections, four appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals, two victories shy of a championship, league-leading point totals this past season, and All-Star Game MVP honors, Jefferson believes he has yet to reach his full potential.

Jefferson said, “He still has so much more to do.” “He’s just twenty-five.” Not even close to reaching his prime. Considering how excellent he is now, it is absurd to think that he will get even better. But I can’t wait to watch him develop.”

Like he did with Tatum as a rookie at Duke, Jefferson will work more closely with the team’s younger players in his player enhancement role to help them develop. With Williams and Smart departing, Boston’s leading scorer will surely be grateful to have a college buddy join the Celtics.