Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Opens Up About His Achilles, His Mom & Fighting to Come Back
Glass Half Full with Craig MelvinShow Notes
Before the 2026 NBA playoffs began, NBA Champion and 6-Time All-Star Jayson Tatum sat down with Craig Melvin on Glass Half Full for an unfiltered look at his journey from the courts of St. Louis to the top of the basketball world. Tatum opens up about the moment he tore his Achilles against the Knicks in the 2025 playoffs, what he heard, what he felt, and what the 47-week road back has really looked like. He also shares the story of growing up in a single parent household, the plan he made with his mom at five years old, and the full circle moment when that kid from St. Louis finally got to sit across from his idol Kobe Bryant. Off the court, Tatum gets candid about becoming a father at 19, raising his two sons Deuce and Dylan, and making peace with his own dad.
More from Glass Half Full with Craig Melvin
Jalen Brunson sits down with Craig Melvin on this episode of "Glass Half Full" to talk about bringing a championship back to New York for the first time in 53 years and why he still won’t call himself the king of the city. He explains why watching his dad grind through non-guaranteed NBA contracts redefined pressure for him, the conversation with Bob Hurley Sr. at 13 that changed how he takes coaching, and why he blocks out praise just as much as criticism. Brunson also opens up about fatherhood and his new children’s book, "Jalen Plays It All." Plus, his mom Sandra confirms she has a secret court side nickname for her son that neither plan to ever share.
As a bonus for Glass Half Full fans, we’re sharing the trailer for season 5 of Morrison Mysteries.
Tony Hawk sits down with Craig Melvin on this episode of Glass Half Full for a conversation about grit, reinvention, and what it looks like to never quit. He opens up about the years he spent eating Top Ramen and editing skate videos as a side hustle while the industry collapsed, how a chance call from Activision launched a video game franchise worth nearly $2 billion, and the 10-year chase to land the 900 at the X Games. Plus why he still won’t retire at 57 and the one person he is still waiting to skate with.
UConn head coach Geno Auriemma sits down with Craig Melvin on this week's episode of Glass Half Full for a conversation about legacy, loyalty, and what it really takes to build something from nothing. He opens up about the night in year one he nearly walked away from it all, the recruiting pitch so honest it probably should not have worked, and why after 12 national championships he still has not figured out how to leave. Geno also sets the record straight on the 2026 Final Four incident with Dawn Staley and makes the case that the Apple TV+ documentary Dynasty shows people what they never see behind the wins. Plus, the best advice he ever received came from his aunt.
Jose Iglesias sits down with Craig Melvin on this episode of Glass Half Full for a conversation about grit, second acts, and what it looks like to keep reinventing yourself when nobody told you the rules. He opens up about defecting from Cuba at 17 during a tournament in Toronto, not knowing what an exit sign meant, and signing an $8.25 million deal with the Red Sox. Jose also takes Craig inside the cruise ship conversation that accidentally gave birth to OMG, and why a Broadway phone call made him start sweating in his own kitchen. Plus whether Mets fans should be paying attention right now.