University of Tennessee Athletics
Cameron Tatum: No Substitute for Experience
January 21, 2012 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 21, 2012
by Todd Mounce
UTsports.com
The old adage states, "There is no substitute of experience." Cameron Tatum has that, as he has just missed eight games since the start of the 2008-09 season.
Now the veteran of a young squad, the fifth-year senior has been around long enough to see the highs and lows, while not being phased by any of it. Having learned from the likes of Chris Lofton, JaJuan Smith and J.P. Prince, Tatum is taking those lessons and applying them to a youthful Vol team.
With a new coaching staff trolling the sidelines this season, the 6-7 guard's knowledge and wisdom was called upon early. He realized with the squad's inexperience with the new offensive and defensive schemes, he could no longer could sit back and watch.
That's when it clicked for him that his role had changed tremendously. "I've become more of a vocal guy each and every day in practice," Tatum said. "When I say something the younger guys tend to listen, and listen with a good ear to try to take that and advance it on the court."
Tatum knows what he is talking about, as during his time at Rocky Top the Lithonia, Ga., native has been a part of an Elite Eight squad, on the winning end of the 2010 NIT Season Tip-Off and playing in high profile tournaments such as the Maui Invitational, Old Spice Classic and the Paradise Jam.
"A lot of guys haven't had an opportunity to play in those types of ballgames," Tatum explained. "My job is to tell them how those games are going to go and how you should approach it. I try to get them more comfortable and maybe try and calm their nerves down a little bit."
Those marquee games have boosted his résumé, which is second to none, as to whom he has faced off against. That list includes some of the game's best in Kevin Durant, Greg Oden, Kemba Walker and Derek Rose.
There will be more of those big names on this year's slate and Tatum knows that the Vols will be well prepared and up for the task.
"I think when you go through the scouting report, seeing some of those guys on TV and seeing how good of player they are, you already have to have a respect factor," Tatum said. "With me and the guys on the team, we take it in a sense of accepting that challenge in playing against those top guys and welcoming that challenge.
"Coach Martin is really big on having guys that are veterans to show the young guys the ropes. I have a lot of learning to do myself as a leader and I have a lot of teaching to do to help these young guys get acclimated with the program and college basketball."
Embracing his role as a mentor, when this season's group of young Vols grows older, they can take the newcomers under their wings, just like Tatum did for them.
