Forbes 30 under 30

30:30 | Jayson Tatum: Inked in Legacy

I approached this pen and ink series for with a dynamic yet personal lens, aiming to channel the energy, precision, and drive that define Jayson Tatum’s career. Through expressive mark-making, I captured both the intensity of his game and the quiet discipline behind his rise.

Tatum led the Celtics to multiple deep playoff runs before clinching his first NBA title in June 2024—Boston’s 18th. While that win was pivotal, he knows one ring isn’t enough to join the legends he admires. A five-time All-Star, he’s known for his scoring, defense, and discipline—qualities that earned him a $314 million deal in 2024. Off the court, Tatum earns $13 million annually through endorsements and Netflix’s Starting 5, while saving most of his $120M+ in career earnings—thanks to his mother’s guidance. This balance of ambition and groundedness shaped my visual approach, blending movement with restraint.

Exploration

Legacy in Motion: Drawing the Game with Jayson Tatum

I approached this series using pen and ink as both a raw and intentional medium—reflecting the duality of Jayson Tatum’s game: explosive yet controlled, instinctive yet precise. Each stroke echoes the rhythm of his play and the momentum of his career milestones, from deep playoff runs to his first NBA title in 2024.

Bold lines contrast with quiet details, symbolizing the balance Tatum strikes between passion and discipline, highlights and hard work. Inspired by his $314M contract, five All-Star nods, and grounded personal values, the work translates his journey into a visual language of movement, resilience, and lasting legacy.

ATL_202540_ILLU504_AlexandraPracek_A3_ProcessFile.png
ATL_202540_ILLU504_AlexandraPracek_A3_ProcessFile2.png
ATL_202540_ILLU504_AlexandraPracek_A3_ProcessFile3.png

Marked by Resilience

This series brings a dynamic presence to life by capturing the movement and emotion of accomplished athlete Jayson Tatum. Each hatch mark and brushstroke is intentional, symbolizing the layers of his personality—strength, focus, and resilience forged through experience. The artwork doesn’t just illustrate his physical form, but tells a deeper story of perseverance and identity through expressive mark-making.

Artboard 1.jpg
Artboard 2.jpg
Artboard 3.jpg
Artboard 4.jpg
Color-Comp-01.jpg
Color-Comp-02.jpg
Color-Comp-03.jpg
Color-Comp-04.jpg
IMG_9382 copy.png
CelticLogo copy.png
IMG_9384 copy.png
Cover.jpg
FinalJT-30U30.jpg

  • The series explores the dual nature of Jayson Tatum’s athletic identity—blending explosive movement with controlled precision. Pen and ink serve as the ideal medium to mirror this dynamic, allowing for both expressive gesture and fine detail. This visual tension reflects Tatum’s balance between instinct and strategy, highlighting the discipline behind his success.

  • Through deliberate mark-making—hatch marks, bold contours, and layered textures—the artwork constructs a symbolic portrait of Tatum’s resilience. Each stroke becomes a metaphor for the athlete’s evolving identity, forged through playoff battles, personal growth, and a milestone championship. The series functions not merely as likeness but as narrative: one of grit, persistence, and legacy in motion.

  • The composition, rhythm, and contrast in the illustrations draw inspiration from key career highlights, including Tatum’s first NBA title in 2024, his five All-Star selections, and his record-breaking contract. These achievements informed the cadence and density of linework, inviting viewers to experience his journey as both physical motion and psychological evolution.

  • Tatum’s off-court persona—financially grounded, family-oriented, and values-driven—guides the series’ tone. While dynamic in form, the work avoids sensationalism, instead favoring a restrained and intimate aesthetic. This approach honors not only Tatum’s athletic prowess but also the quiet determination and maturity that define his public image.

Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum