5 Things to Know About Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum is a young, professional NBA star making waves in the industry for his increasingly impressive basketball stats.
The forward-guard for the Boston Celtics has been consistently ranking high on ESPN’s Top 100 list, having earned multiple awards for his on-court skills.

He was nominated for the 2022 NBA Most Valuable Player Award, the highest honor in the league. He ranked at number six behind winner Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Devin Booker. While he didn’t win this year, fans are hopeful that he will take home the 2023 title as experts expect his trajectory to rise even higher in the coming months.

Even though he didn’t make MVP this time around, he took home the gold two years prior. In the 2020 summer Olympics, Tatum played against Team France, winning the battle as the ultimate bragging right. In a Twitter post following his win, Tatum jokingly asked that fans refer to him as “Gold Medal Jay’“.

While Tatum likes to make fun on social media, he stays grounded with the help of his family and Christian upbringing. He credits his relationship with Christ as the reason for his career gains.

His son, “Deuce,” is another motivating factor in his career. The five-year-old, who’s also making headlines, is not shy around cameras. This is evidenced by his heavy social media presence on his father’s timelines.

Aside from being a father, Tatum is a talented professional with many other interests, from philanthropy to fashion. Here are five things to know about Jayson Tatum:

He’s A Rising Talent

Jayson Tatum is rising basketball star. Growing up, Tatum idolized the late NBA legend, Kobe Bryant. And as a child, he was given the chance to meet Bryant, which further motivated him to pursue his basketball dreams. Later, as Bryant began mentoring him, he was able to develop a unique skillset that catapulted his career.

Tatum joined the Boston Celtics at just 19 years old. Since then, he’s been making headlines as he quickly moves up the industry ranks. Since his start, he’s won the coveted title of “NBA Player of the Week” eight times, with three of the titles awarded in just one month. He’s also been named NBA All-Star three times and counting.

He’s A Family Man

Even though Jayson Tatum has become a famous NBA player, he stays humble by keeping close to his loved ones. He regularly posts pictures on social media of his family, especially his mother, whom he calls his “best friend.”

Tatum grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, with his parents, Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole, and his brother, Jaycob Tatum. Growing up in a Christian household kept Tatum focused on his goals, leading him to the professional leagues. Those same values that influenced his childhood help keep him grounded today. In 2017, Tatum and his ex-girlfriend Toriah Lachell welcomed their son Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr, also known as “Deuce.” Since then, the father-son duo has been inseparable, with Deuce stealing the spotlight from his famous Dad wherever they go.

He’s Community-Minded

Tatum founded The Jayson Tatum Foundation to help underserved children and teens pursue their dreams. Recognizing a lack of financial and emotional support for young people in marginalized communities, Tatum sought to use his platform to close the gap.

With a mission to “positively impact and inspire children, teens and their families through education, athletics, and support,” the foundation has continuously served young people from all over the country. Every year, they sponsor 100 boys and girls to attend an all-expenses-paid Summer Basketball Camp and Leadership Program, where they learn core skills that include leadership, character building, and basketball training.

The foundation also regularly donates to underserved communities so that the youth can have better access to quality resources that can help propel their futures.

He’s Fashion-Forward

Even though Tatum is best-known for his impressive skills on the court, fans also appreciate his love for fashion outside the court. There are many professional basketball players like Lebron James, Russell Westbrook, and Ben Simmons who are recognized for their sense of style. Jayson Tatum is no exception.

Tatum regularly posts his latest fashions on social media for his fans to see. From casual wear to designer suits, when it comes to fashion, Tatum is definitely one to look out for. Whether he’s rocking matching Christmas pajamas with his son or a fitted jersey while he scores on the court, Jayson Tatum is a style icon in the making.

Basketball Is In His Blood

Jayson Tatum comes from a long line of talented sports professionals who helped him become the rising star that he is today. His father, Justin Tatum, was a college basketball player at Saint Louis University. Before the birth of his son Jayson, he became a basketball coach for Christian Brothers College High School. Prior to that, he worked as the coach and athletics director at Soldan International Studies High School for six years.

Justin Tatum developed a friendship with retired NBA star Larry Hughes when they played basketball together in high school and then college. They became so close that eventually, Hughes would became Jayson’s godfather.

Jayson Tatum’s cousin, Tyronn Lue, is also a former NBA player. He currently acts as head coach for the Los Angeles Clippers.