Jayson Tatum, the talented star of the Boston Celtics, boasts an extensive collection of tattoos that hold personal significance to him. The 25-year-old NBA All-Star proudly displays artwork on his body that pays tribute to his family, his journey to the league, and important milestones in his life.
Inspired by his father, who also had tattoos, Tatum developed a desire for ink from a young age. His first tattoos appeared just before his rookie season in 2017, with meaningful designs etched onto his wrists.
Among the notable tattoos on Tatum’s body are dedications to his mother, son, and the path that led him to the NBA. His shoulders bear the phrase “God’s will,” accompanied by a cherub and a collage of images representing his childhood.
On his left leg, Tatum proudly displays his high school and college jerseys overlapping each other. Just above them, he pays homage to the late Kobe Bryant with two Black Mamba snakes forming the number 24.
In 2022, tattoo artist Steve Wiebe added a significant piece to Tatum’s collection—a large collage of images commemorating his childhood home in St. Louis, positioned on the left side of his back. This highlights Tatum’s enduring connection to St. Louis, as evidenced by a tattoo of a mushroom cloud and the phrase “St. Louis – ’til the world blows” on his right leg.
On his right leg, Tatum features a portrait of himself holding his son, Jayson Jr., accompanied by the caption “like father, like son.” Additionally, he has the number “98” inked on his right knee, signifying the year of his birth, and “Big Deuce” on his hand, a nickname for his son.
While Tatum continues to expand his tattoo portfolio, he admits that the process can be painful. Nevertheless, his collection serves as a visual representation of his personal journey and the meaningful connections he cherishes.