About Earl Tatum
Born 1953. Earl Tatum is an American basketball player.
William Earl Tatum (born July 26, 1953) is an American former professional basketball player from Mount Vernon, New York. He was a guard who played high school basketball at Mount Vernon, where he was selected large-school player of the year by the New York State Sportswriters Association in 1972, and collegiately at Marquette University.
Tatum was selected with the 4th pick of the second round in the 1976 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. During the 1977 NBA playoffs, Tatum's only postseason appearance, he averaged 13.6 points and 4.8 rebounds in 11 games, as the Lakers advanced past the Golden State Warriors before losing to the Portland Trail Blazers. He played for five teams in 4 years, his final season spent with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1979–80.
Career statistics
NBA Source
Regular season
Playoffs Year Team GP MPG FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
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Important facts
Related people
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Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Earl Tatum's
Frequently asked questions
Who is Earl Tatum?
American basketball player (born 1953)
When was Earl Tatum born?
Earl Tatum was born on 26 July 1953 in Mount Vernon.
What is Earl Tatum's occupation?
Earl Tatum is a basketball player.
What nationality is Earl Tatum?
Earl Tatum is American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Earl Tatum. https://biography.guide/earl-tatum/
MLA: "Earl Tatum." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/earl-tatum/.
Chicago: "Earl Tatum." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/earl-tatum/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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