Jayson Tatum, an NBA star, is a proud father to a unique boy.

During Tatum’s rookie season in the NBA, on December 6, 2017, he welcomed Jayson “Deuce” Christopher Tatum Jr. with his high school girlfriend, Toriah Lachell. Since then, he has grown to be a Boston Celtics icon and a member of his father’s team on an honorary basis.

On the court, Tatum once stated, “I want Deuce to remember me as a competitor, someone who just always wanted to win. “Every time he attends a game, he observes how I give it my best and how I make every effort to support our victory. Because as he gets older, winning as a team in sports will become more and more crucial, and everything else will follow.

Here is all you need to know about Deuce Tatum, Jayson Tatum’s son, from their shared upbringing to their courtside customs.

He was born just as Tatum started his NBA career

Tatum had a great year in 2017 because he was selected third overall in the NBA Draft in June and became a parent six months later. It was the “biggest year” of his life, he said.

During a post-game press conference in 2022, Tatum stated, “Starting this new chapter in my career, I just had a child.” “I didn’t think about making sacrifices because I wanted to be the best basketball player and father I could be at the same time. There was no instruction manual or precise method to follow. What was natural was everything.

Because I was 19 when I was drafted, he said, “I believe being able to go through this adventure together is kind of like we’re growing up together. As he has aged, I have been going through my profession, sharing these experiences, and growing up alongside him. It is, in my opinion, the coolest aspect.

He has become the unofficial mascot for the Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics and NBA fans alike are interested in Deuce. Deuce has been highlighted by the club on social media, including when he gave his father an All-Star ring and participated in a pregame chant in support of coach Ime Udoka in May 2022.

He’s grown close to Tatum’s teammates as well, and in March 2022, he even struck Marcus Smart behind during a game. Every time I approach Deuce, he tries to assault me, Smart claimed to The Boston Globe. It’s just the way he is. Everyone adores Deuce.

Additionally, Grant Williams of the Celtics revealed to the publication that he and Deuce have a “love-hate relationship.” There are days, he said, “when he walks in, he gives me a hug, he asks, ‘What’s up?, and he daps me up. There are other days when he gives me the evil eye, punches me a couple times, and goes going.

Deuce has accompanied his father to numerous games, including one in May 2023 where the youngster took part in a kids’ dunk competition and got to know the dog who performs at halftime.

He crashes his dad’s interviews

The young child is used to being in the spotlight: Deuce has climbed into his father’s lap in a number of Tatum’s post-game interviews.

Deuce mumbled something to his father in May 2022 after the Celtics defeated Milwaukee in game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. What would you like to say?,” Tatum questioned his son. Would you like to say anything? Then a reporter inquired as to what Deuce would do when in Miami for the following game. Deuce took the microphone and said, “I’m going swimming.”

His name is on all of Tatum’s sneakers

Tatum’s sneakers intentionally include markings that are visible from the inside. The Celtics player revealed to The Bleacher Report that all of his game-day kicks bear his son’s nickname.

“For those who don’t know, I have a 4-year-old son, and that’s his nickname,” he remarked. “You know, Deuce is Boston’s true superstar. And it’s incredible to watch the response and interest he receives. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that my son, who I became pregnant with during my first year of college, would grow to be as big as he is. Just his personality, and I believe that people are aware of our bond.

According to ESPN’s Nick DePaula, Tatum donned a pair of Air Jordans in December 2021 that were modeled after Deuce’s preferred book, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? The book that served as the inspiration for his footwear was among the children’s books that Tatum carried into the NBA bubble the year before to read to Deuce via FaceTime.

His parents met in high school

In St. Louis, Tatum attended Chaminade College Preparatory School, where he first met Toriah Lachell, his girlfriend at the time. In an interview with Graham Bensinger, Tatum claimed that in the early months of 2017, as his first season at Duke University was coming to a conclusion and his professional career was beginning to take off, he learned that Lachell was expecting a child.

When Deuce was born in December, the new parents were both 19 years old.