Jayson Tatum isn’t just winning on the basketball court. It’s clear he’s also winning at fatherhood. The star of the Boston Celtics is a devoted dad to his 6-year-old son Jayson “Deuce” Tatum Jr., and it couldn’t be clearer that they have a tight and special bond. After the final buzzer at the 2024 NBA championship — when the Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 — Deuce ran onto the court to give his dad a celebratory hug.
But it instantly became more than just a hug. In what could be the cutest picture from the entire night, Tatum swung Deuce up in the air, making the little boy spread his arms out and smile wide while green and white confetti rained down around Boston’s TD Garden.
It’s clear they had a special moment and that Deuce whispered something in his dad’s ear. Tatum later revealed the sweet message he got from his son during a post-game press conference.
“He told me that I was the best in the world,” Tatum said. Aww! How sweet is that?! The proud dad must have been feeling on top of the world already and having that validated by his young son must have made the feeling even stronger.
It’s probably why he responded the way he did: “And I said, ‘You damn right I am.’”
The five-time NBA All-Star welcomed Deuce with ex girlfriend Toriah Lachell in 2017. It was the same year he was drafted.
“That was the biggest year of my life, right? Starting this new chapter in my career and I just had a child,” Tatum said in a 2022 press conference.
“My mindset was not to sacrifice either, that I was going to be the best father I could as well as the best basketball player,” he continued. “There was no guideline or there was no exact way to do it. It was all about what was natural.”
Tatum also reflected on the fact that he was only 19 when he was drafted and Tatum was born.
“It’s kind of like we’re growing up together,” he said. “As he’s gotten older, I’m going through my career, sharing these moments, experiencing this together as we grow up, I think it’s the coolest part for me.”
Growing up together, and spending so much time together at games and at press conferences. Celtics fans have come to love Deuce as much as they love his athletic father. The little guy is known to hop in his dad’s lap during interviews, participate in various kids’ activities in the arena, and hang out in the locker room. And, of course, he’s known to give his dad the most adorable post-game compliments.
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