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Jayson Tatum’s Ultimate MVP? His Mom! 🏆❤️ The Heartwarming Reason He Credits Every Success to Her

 

 

In the competitive realm of professional basketball, where triumphs and tribulations intertwine seamlessly, Jayson Tatum stands out not only for his exceptional skills on the court but also for his unwavering devotion to his mother, Brandy Cole. Since emerging onto the national stage as a young prodigy, Tatum has consistently acknowledged and celebrated his mother’s pivotal role in his life and career. From his early days in St. Louis, Missouri, to his ascension as an NBA superstar with the Boston Celtics, Tatum’s journey is a testament to the power of maternal love and support.

Early Years and Family Influence

Born on March 3, 1998, in St. Louis, Missouri, Jayson Christopher Tatum quickly exhibited a natural affinity for basketball. His early childhood was shaped by the values instilled by his mother, Brandy Cole, who worked tirelessly to provide for him and his two brothers, Jaycobie and Jaycob. Despite facing financial challenges, Cole ensured that her sons had every opportunity to pursue their passions. Tatum often credits his mother’s sacrifices and guidance as fundamental to his development both as an athlete and as a person.

Nurturing Talent and Ambition

Recognizing Jayson’s talent from a young age, Brandy Cole became his first coach and mentor. She enrolled him in local leagues and tournaments, encouraging his love for the game while emphasizing the importance of discipline and hard work. Tatum’s commitment to excellence on the court was matched by his dedication to his studies, a trait instilled by his mother who stressed the importance of education as a pathway to success.

Rising Star and Collegiate Career

As Tatum’s basketball prowess grew, so did his national recognition. He attended Chaminade College Preparatory School, where his skills flourished under the guidance of dedicated coaches and mentors. With each accolade and championship won, Tatum remained grounded, often highlighting his mother’s role in his achievements. His decision to play for Duke University further solidified his reputation as a formidable talent, with his performances earning him accolades and admiration from fans and scouts alike.

Draft Day and NBA Ascent

In 2017, Jayson Tatum achieved a lifelong dream when he was selected as the third overall pick by the Boston Celtics in the NBA Draft. The culmination of years of hard work and perseverance, this moment was made even more poignant by Tatum’s emotional embrace with his mother, who had been his unwavering source of support throughout his journey. Cole’s pride and joy were palpable as she witnessed her son embark on his professional career, ready to face the challenges and opportunities that awaited him.

Professional Triumphs and Challenges

Since joining the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum has consistently elevated his game, earning accolades such as NBA All-Star selections and All-NBA Team honors. Through triumphs and setbacks, he continues to lean on the lessons imparted by his mother: resilience, humility, and gratitude. Whether sinking a game-winning shot or navigating the pressures of professional athletics, Tatum remains grounded by his family’s unwavering support.

Gratitude and Giving Back

Beyond his achievements on the court, Jayson Tatum is renowned for his philanthropic efforts and community involvement. Inspired by his mother’s example of compassion and generosity, he actively supports causes that empower youth and promote education. Through basketball camps, charitable initiatives, and outreach programs, Tatum strives to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people, echoing the values instilled in him by his mother.

Maternal Bond and Personal Growth

At the heart of Jayson Tatum’s success story is his profound bond with Brandy Cole, a relationship built on love, trust, and mutual respect. In interviews and public appearances, Tatum consistently expresses gratitude to his mother for her unwavering support and sacrifices. Theirs is a narrative of resilience and determination, illustrating how familial love can fuel dreams and shape destinies.

Legacy and Future Aspirations

As Jayson Tatum continues to evolve both as a player and as a person, his journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and individuals alike. With each game played and each milestone achieved, he remains grounded by the values imparted by his mother. Looking ahead, Tatum seeks to leave a lasting legacy both on and off the court, driven by a desire to inspire others and create positive change in the world.

Jayson Tatum’s rise to prominence in the NBA is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent but also to the unwavering support and guidance provided by his mother, Brandy Cole. From humble beginnings in St. Louis to the bright lights of professional basketball, Tatum’s journey underscores the transformative power of maternal love and familial support. As he continues to excel in his career and make a difference in the community, Jayson Tatum stands as a shining example of what can be achieved through dedication, perseverance, and the profound influence of a mother’s love.

Ella Mai Stuns in Sleek Gray Suit at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—Jayson Tatum Can’t Take His Eyes Off Her!

Jayson Tatum‘s girlfriend and singer Ella Mai was at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Arena in Cleveland on Saturday to attend the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction. The English R&B singer posted videos from the event on her social media.

On her Instagram story, she posted a video of her talking to the media. In the next story, she posted a video of her entering the hallway while she was being recorded.

Mai showed up in a grey suit with a matching color blazer with a black collar and skirt for the occasion. She also styled her outfit with black stockings and black heels designed with feathers.

Jayson Tatum’s girlfriend Ella Mai’s IG story

Mai also performed during the event. According to “Rated R&B”, the girlfriend of the NBA star joined fellow artist Lucky Daye and others to pay tribute to the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Mary J. Blige.

📸| #EllaMai attends the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony pic.twitter.com/Iga2FGxWYZ

— InMusic (@_inmusic_) October 19, 2024

Aside from Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, and A Tribe Called Quest were the other Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees for this year.

ella mai gave birth!!!!! pic.twitter.com/8zurHe11B7

— aims (@yungaims) August 11, 2024

Ella Mai and Jayson Tatum relationship timeline

While relationship rumors between Tatum and Mai date back to 2020, they only made their first public appearance in July 2022. They were seen together at Michael Rubin’s Fourth of July party.

They were also seen together in events like the wedding of Tatum’s former teammate Marcus Smart and Mai’s 29th birthday party, both in 2023. She was also in the stands supporting Tatum and the Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.

According to Page Six, the Celtics star and the ‘Boo’d Up’ singer also have a child together. After Tatum and Team USA won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, Tatum and Mai along with other family members posed with Tatum and Mai’s newborn baby.

According to People, Ella Mai also shares a very close relationship with Jayson Tatum’s son Deuce. In April 2023, when Mai was performing at Boston’s House of Blues, Tatum and Deuce were also in the crowd. Mai also waved at him from the stage.

Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift’s Secret Getaway Plan REVEALED – Fans Stunned by Their Bold Move!

In the wake of Travis Kelce’s Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on February 9, he and Taylor Swift have been keeping a low profile, steering clear of the spotlight and high-profile events.

The couple, both 35 years old, appears eager to escape the relentless media attention and enjoy some much-needed relaxation away from the cameras.

According to insiders, Swift and Kelce are planning a private getaway, opting for a secluded beach destination where they can unwind without the glare of flashing lights or the pressure of their respective careers.

While the exact location of their upcoming vacation remains unknown, early reports suggest the couple is looking for a tropical escape where they can enjoy sun, sand, and serenity.

Swift and Kelce have previously vacationed in paradise, often selecting ultra-exclusive resorts for their romantic trips.

In March 2024, the couple visited Harbour Island in the Bahamas, staying in a $15,000-per-night luxury suite featuring:

Despite the high level of privacy, paparazzi still managed to capture photos, which quickly went viral on social media.

Swift is no stranger to tropical vacations, having visited the Bahamas multiple times with past partners. In addition to her frequent trips to the Caribbean, sources say she has always had Turks and Caicos on her travel list. Even Rhode Island, where she owns a home, offers the serene coastal escape she enjoys.

Could Europe Be Their Next Stop?

Although a beach destination seems most likely, Swift and Kelce have also shown interest in European getaways.

In May 2024, after wrapping up a grueling leg of The Eras Tour, Swift was spotted on a romantic dinner date with Kelce at Lake Como, Italy. Their stay was brief, lasting only a couple of days, as Kelce had to return for his football commitments.

Lake Como has long been a favorite spot for high-profile couples, not only for its stunning scenery but also for its reputation as a place where many celebrities take the next step in their relationships.

Hollywood stars like George Clooney and Amal Clooney, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, and Emily Blunt and John Krasinski have all found romance in the idyllic Italian retreat, with some even celebrating their engagements or weddings there. Given its history of love stories, some fans are wondering if Swift and Kelce are considering following in their footsteps.

Whether it’s an engagement, a quiet retreat, or just another unforgettable vacation, one thing is certain—Swift and Kelce are making memories in some of the world’s most romantic places.

While the couple’s next destination remains a mystery, one thing is certain: they are prioritizing privacy, relaxation, and time away from the spotlight. Given their history, it wouldn’t be surprising if they return to the beach, opting for another luxurious, sun-soaked retreat

Mirra Andreeva secured the 2025 Dubai Tennis Championships title on Saturday, February 22, with a dominant 7-6(1), 6-1 victory over Clara Tauson in the final. This triumph marks her first title of the season and the maiden WTA 1000 title of her career.

Andreeva’s victory in Dubai earned her a hefty $597,000 from the WTA 1000 tournament’s $3,654,963 prize pool, while Tauson took home $351,801. Elena Rybakina and Karolina Muchova each received $181,400 after being eliminated in the semifinals.

Second seed Iga Swiatek, Sofia Kenin, Sorana Cirstea and Linda Noskova, each got $83,470 for a quarterfinal finish.

Meanwhile, players eliminated in the third round of the Dubai Tennis Championships— including top seed Aryna Sabalenka, fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, fifth seed Jessica Pegula, eighth seed Emma Navarro, ninth seed Paula Badosa, McCartney Kessler, Peyton Stearns, and Dayana Yastremska — each took home $41,600.

Third seed Coco Gauff, seventh seed Zheng Qinwen, 11th seed Diana Shnaider, Veronika Kudermetova, Elina Svitolina, Liudmila Samsonova, Emma Raducanu, Alycia Parks, Belinda Bencic, Moyuka Uchijima, Elise Mertens, Marta Kostyuk, Eva Lys, Marketa Vondrousova, Anastasia Potapova, and Victoria Azarenka, each bagged $23,500 for a second-round finish.

Those knocked out in the opening round of the tournament, including 10th seed Daria Kasatkina, 13th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, 15th seed Anna Kalinskaya, 16th seed Donna Vekic, 2025 Qatar Open runner-up Jelena Ostapenko, Leylah Fernandez, Ons Jabeur and Caroline Garcia, each pocketed $16,900.

Edited by Pritha Ghosh

Taylor Swift Unveils Secret Track Inspired by Travis Kelce’s Super Bowl Heartbreak – ‘February Tears’ Set to Drop Soon!

Taylor Swift Unveils Secret Track Inspired by Travis Kelce’s Super Bowl Heartbreak – ‘February Tears’ Set to Drop Soon!

Taylor Swift has once again proven that she can turn life’s most emotional moments into music. In an unexpected twist following the Kansas City Chiefs’ heartbreaking Super Bowl LIX loss, Swift has announced the release of a secret track dedicated to her boyfriend, NFL star Travis Kelce. The surprise song, reportedly titled February Tears, is set to drop soon, leaving Swifties and football fans alike buzzing with excitement.

Turning Heartbreak into Music

Swift, known for her ability to transform personal experiences into lyrical masterpieces, shared the news in an intimate statement. “Travis and I went through February’s highs and lows together, but our Super Bowl tears led to something unexpected. He thought the Super Bowl was the endgame, but I turned those February tears into a secret track—and it’s dropping soon,” she revealed.

The singer-songwriter hinted at a powerful and emotional story behind the lyrics, teasing fans with a sneak peek: ‘Caught your fall when the crowd went quiet…’ This one line alone has sent the internet into a frenzy, with fans speculating on the song’s deeper meaning and how it reflects the raw emotions of the championship defeat.

The Impact of the Super Bowl Loss

The Kansas City Chiefs entered Super Bowl LIX with high hopes of securing another championship, but their dreams were shattered in a dramatic game that ended in disappointment. Travis Kelce, one of the team’s biggest stars, was visibly distraught after the loss. With Swift in attendance at the game, cameras captured the couple sharing a quiet, somber moment on the field, fueling speculation about how she would support him through the difficult time.

As it turns out, Swift’s way of coping—and lifting Kelce’s spirits—was to do what she does best: write a song. Sources close to the singer suggest that February Tears was written in the days following the Super Bowl, as Swift processed the emotions of the moment alongside her boyfriend.

Fans React to the Announcement

Unsurprisingly, Swift’s announcement sent social media into overdrive. The hashtag #FebruaryTears began trending within minutes, with fans expressing their anticipation for what could be another chart-topping hit.

“Taylor turning a Super Bowl heartbreak into music? This is why she’s the GOAT. I already know I’m gonna cry when I hear it,” one fan tweeted. Another wrote, “Kelce lost a ring, but Taylor just gave us a masterpiece.”

Even Chiefs fans, still reeling from the loss, chimed in with support. “We may have lost the Super Bowl, but at least we gained a Taylor Swift song. That’s a win in my book,” a fan posted.

A New Era of Crossover Fame?

The relationship between Swift and Kelce has been a hot topic ever since rumors first emerged in 2023. While their romance initially raised eyebrows—bringing together two of the biggest stars from vastly different worlds—it has since blossomed into one of the most talked-about celebrity pairings in recent memory.

With Swift’s involvement in the NFL reaching new heights, some have even speculated that she is influencing the league’s entertainment landscape. The pop star’s presence at Chiefs games has drawn massive attention, boosting ratings and generating discussions about the intersection of music and sports. Now, with February Tears, Swift is set to bring that crossover to another level by blending the emotional weight of a football loss with the storytelling genius of her music.

What to Expect from ‘February Tears’

While details of the song remain tightly under wraps, industry insiders suggest that February Tears will have a somber, yet uplifting tone. Described as a mix between All Too Well and You Belong With Me, the track is expected to showcase Swift’s signature emotional depth while paying tribute to Kelce’s resilience in the face of defeat.

There is also speculation that the song may feature football-inspired metaphors and imagery, further cementing its connection to Kelce and the Chiefs’ Super Bowl journey. Lyrics like ‘the crowd went quiet’ suggest a moment of reflection, perhaps hinting at the stillness that followed the Chiefs’ final moments on the field.

Fans are also wondering if February Tears will be released as a single or included in a deluxe edition of The Tortured Poets Department, Swift’s highly anticipated upcoming album. Some have even theorized that the song may be accompanied by a music video featuring Kelce himself, making for a powerful visual representation of their journey together.

Travis Kelce’s Reaction

As for Kelce, sources say the Chiefs tight end was deeply moved when Swift first played the song for him. “Travis was speechless,” a close friend of the couple shared. “He never expected Taylor to turn the Super Bowl into a song, but once he heard it, he just hugged her and told her it was beautiful. It really helped him move past the loss and see the bigger picture.”

Kelce himself has not yet publicly commented on the track, but fans are eagerly awaiting his response—perhaps even in the form of an Instagram post featuring Swift lyrics, as he has done in the past.

The Countdown Begins

With anticipation reaching a fever pitch, fans are now counting down the days until February Tears officially drops. Whether you’re a Swiftie, a football fan, or just someone who loves a good heartbreak-to-healing story, this song is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about releases of the year.

Swift has always had a knack for turning life’s challenges into art, and February Tears is no exception. As she and Kelce continue to navigate their high-profile relationship, one thing is clear: when life gives Taylor Swift lemons, she doesn’t just make lemonade—she writes a hit song.

So, are you ready to hear the real story behind those Super Bowl tears? Stay tuned—because February Tears is about to make its mark.

The retired tennis star wanted a different line of questioning at the Rio Open.

Juan Martin del Potro wanted new questions from the media. (Image: Getty.)

Juan Martin del Potro asked for “easier questions” at the Rio Open after being unhappy with those posed to him in Brazil.

The iconic Argentine called time on his career in December, playing a final farewell exhibition against Novak Djokovic, but jetted to Rio de Janeiro to be part of the festivities.

Del Potro will award the trophy to the ATP 500 Brazilian champion on Sunday and held a press conference, with reporters invited to ask about the tournament and the 36-year-old’s career.

However, the majority of the conversation was dominated by Jannik Sinner’s doping case, for which he received a three-month suspension, and Chile’s Davis Cup controversy.\

The draw for the Davis Cup play-offs was postponed to allow for an investigation to proceed into the ending of Chile’s tie with Belgium.

Chile’s Cristian Garin refused to continue playing after being hit to the floor by his opponent, who was on the verge of victory, before bruising Garin and injuring his eye. He refused to play and conceded, with the Chilean Tennis Federation denouncing the result and calling it an “injustice”.

Del Porto did not want to delve too deeply into either topic, jokingly telling South American journalists: “Ask me easier questions, guys.”

Juan Martin del Potro playing tennis while in retirement. (Image: Getty)

He did, however, concede that all those involved with Sinner’s case with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have suffered a loss of credibility.

“I believe that everyone has lost a bit of credibility in this case,” Del Potro said. “The ATP, the anti-doping systems, Sinner’s image, and the fans. Nobody comes away with anything positive from this situation.”

He continued to reflect on his first few months of retirement, explaining: “After the farewell with Djokovic in December, I felt that I was no longer a professional player, that a new chapter had begun. Before that day, I had always had a slight hope of returning. Tennis was my life. At this moment, I try to understand that I am a former tennis player.

“What do I need to be completely happy? To fully heal my knee. As of today, I feel pain every day.”

Onto more positive topics, as requested by Del Potro, he spoke with an affinity for his time at the Brazilian tournament and their future star Joao Fonseca.

“Rio is a very special place for me,” he said. “I played the [Olympic] Games here in 2016, and I’m very happy to be here. That week was one of the happiest in my career. The first round against Djokovic, the semi-finals against Rafa [Nadal]… the medal.

“We broke the Argentina-Brazil rivalry. That football rivalry never happened to me. The people in Brazil like me a lot, just like Argentinians do with Joao Fonseca.

“It’s spectacular. He has a very powerful game, with a lot of potential. The speed, his evolution, the way he is improving… he needs emotional support. In Brazil, as in Argentina, people are quick to rate you as the best, but equally quick to say you are the worst. It’s very tough.”

The Woman Behind Deuce Tatum: Meet Jayson Tatum’s Ex, Toriah Lachell, and Their Untold Story

Jayson Tatum, a well-known NBA player, has received tremendous media attention for both his professional and personal life. Toriah Lachell, who previously dated Tatum and has a child with him, has sparked particular interest. Toriah Lachell earned popularity through her relationship with Tatum, but her life is more complicated than that.

Toriah Lachell is well-known for both her previous connection with Tatum and her professional accomplishments. She presently owns and operates The Curl Bar Boston, a curly hair care company based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Despite not being an Instagram celebrity, she has managed to build a successful venture in her field.

Jayson Tatum and Toriah Lachell met at Chaminade College Preparatory School, and their relationship began there. After knowing one other for a while, their friendship blossomed, and they decided to be together. However, it should be mentioned that Tatum was also associated with volleyball player Samie Amos at the time, which made matters more confusing.

Toriah Lachell’s experience extends beyond her relationship with Jayson Tatum. She has established herself as an entrepreneur in the hair care market, demonstrating her tenacity and determination. Despite the media attention surrounding their previous relationship, Tatum and Lachell have proceeded on their different courses in life.

Jayson Tatum shares insight into the untold struggles of balancing NBA fame and fatherhood

Image via USA TODAY Sports

When Jayson Tatum takes to the court, he’s a dazzling Boston Celtics superstar, commanding attention with his game-winning shots. But when the final buzzer sounds, Tatum steps into an even more rewarding role: being “dad” to his six-year-old son, Deuce. Whether they’re courtside sharing smiles or at home making memories, this dynamic father-son duo is redefining what it means to balance stardom and parenthood. Their bond isn’t just endearing—it’s a slam dunk of love and dedication that resonates far beyond the basketball world.

Jayson Tatum’s role as an NBA superstar and a devoted dad

Image via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports

Tatum’s relationship with Deuce has evolved into something truly special over the years. Whether it’s Deuce cheering from the sidelines or the father-son duo sharing a heartwarming moment in public, their connection resonates with fans. Tatum acknowledges the importance of being present for his son, a commitment he takes seriously despite the rigorous demands of his NBA career.
“I make sure that — regardless if I had a game the night before, had to travel, or got in late — when it’s my days to have him, I’m getting up at 6:30 in the morning to take him to school,” Tatum shared. “When we don’t have a game, I’m making sure I’m there to pick him up after school. It’s just about being present as much as I can, especially with how much we travel.”

Tatum’s fatherhood has been shaped by challenges

Tatum’s upbringing under a strict basketball coach father significantly influenced his parenting style. Growing up in a reportedly abusive environment, he vowed to provide a different experience for Deuce. This perspective has helped him create a nurturing, loving space for his son. He also expressed admiration for LeBron James’ relationship with his son Bronny, calling it “the coolest thing ever.”
“A father and son playing in the NBA is something special that I never thought I would see,” Tatum said. While the possibility of replicating the LeBron-Bronny dynamic with Deuce exists, Tatum remains grounded. “As far as me and Deuce, I don’t know. A lot of things would have to go right for that to happen. It’s too early to tell.”

Tatum believes in creating moments that matter

For Tatum, fatherhood is about the little things that make a big difference. Back in 2020, while stuck in the NBA bubble, Tatum made sure to FaceTime Deuce every night to read his favorite books. Fast forward to today, the duo enjoys Baby-Dunks-a-Lot, a book co-written by Tatum and inspired by his son.
“Yeah, I think just being a normal dad. Being there for recitals and plays at school,” Tatum explained, reflecting on the importance of sharing everyday experiences with Deuce.

An inspiring example of modern fatherhood

Jayson Tatum’s journey as a father is a powerful testament to the balance between professional excellence and personal dedication. By prioritizing love, presence, and meaningful connections, he continues to inspire not only Celtics fans but parents everywhere. While the idea of playing alongside Deuce in the NBA remains a distant dream, the two are already winning in the game of life, one intentional moment at a time.

Tatum’s commitment to his son showcases a refreshing approach to fatherhood, proving that even amidst the spotlight, the simplest joys of parenthood hold the greatest value.
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Meet Deuce Tatum: The Young Superstar Stealing the Spotlight from His Dad, Jayson Tatum!

Jayson Tatum welcomed his son, Deuce, with ex-girlfriend Toriah Lachell in 2017

Photo: Brian Babineau/NBAE

NBA star Jayson Tatum is a proud father of one special boy.

On Dec. 6, 2017, Tatum and his high school girlfriend, Toriah Lachell, welcomed Jayson “Deuce” Christopher Tatum Jr. during Tatum’s rookie year with the NBA. Deuce has since become an icon for Boston Celtics fans and an honorary part of his father’s team.

“On the court [I want Deuce to remember me as] … a competitor, somebody that just always wanted to win,” Tatum once said. “Every time he comes to the game, he sees how I give it my all, I’m doing everything I can in my power to help us win.”

Tatum won big in June 2024 when the Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.

Fans will see more of Deuce in Starting 5, the Netflix docuseries that follows NBA players (including Tatum) through their 2023-2024 season that began streaming in October 2024.

From growing up together to courtside traditions, here’s everything to know about Jayson Tatum’s son, Deuce Tatum.

He was born shortly after Tatum was drafted into the NBA

Jayden Tatum Instagram

2017 was the “biggest year” for Tatum — he was the NBA’s third draft pick in June and, six months later, became a father.

“My mindset was not to sacrifice either. I was going to be the best father as well as the best basketball player,” Tatum said during a post-game press conference in 2022, recalling his first year in the league. “There was no guideline or there was no exact way to do it. It was all about what was natural.”

He continued, “I think being able to go through this journey together … I was 19 when I got drafted, it’s kind of like we’re growing up together. As he’s gotten older, I’m going through my career and [we’re] experiencing this together. I think it’s the coolest part for me.”

In October 2023, Tatum was a guest contributor for the NBA’s Starting 5 newsletter. He wrote about the downsides of being a father who travels often for work.

“Tough thing, depending on our schedule, is missing his birthday. There have been a few years when I wasn’t with him for his birthday. Also, not being able to go to every school event and or basketball practice because we are on the road,” he said. “Even though this is my 7th season, it’s still something that’s not easy to deal with because you never want to miss those things. They grow up so fast.”

He has become the unofficial mascot for the Boston Celtics

Deuce has caught the attention of both NBA fans and the Boston Celtics. The team has featured Deuce on their social media, including supporting coach Ime Udoka in a pre-game chant in May 2022 and presenting an All-Star ring to his dad.

He’s become close with Tatum’s teammates as well, even hitting Marcus Smart’s behind during a game in March 2022. “Deuce is always trying to attack me any time I come around him,” Smart told The Boston Globe. “That’s just who he is. We all love Deuce.”

Celtics forward Grant Williams also told the outlet that he and Deuce have a “love-hate relationship.” He explained, “There’s days where he comes in, gives me a hug, says, ‘What’s up?’ and daps me up. There’s other days where he looks at me crazy, kind of gives me a mean mug, punches me a few times, and keeps it moving.”

Deuce has supported his dad at many games, including a May 2023 match where the little boy participated in a kids’ dunk contest and met the dog who does halftime performances.

More recently, Deuce has become a regular fixture on the Celtics’ official TikTok account. In one video, Deuce can be seen hanging out in the locker room after a game, announcing, “we almost lost!”

He crashes his dad’s interviews

Maddie Meyer/Getty

The little one is no stranger to the spotlight: In several of Tatum’s post-game interviews, Deuce has jumped into his father’s lap.

In May 2022, after the Celtics beat Milwaukee in game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Deuce whispered something to his dad. Tatum asked his son, “What do you want to say? Do you want to say something?” A reporter then asked what Deuce will do when he visits Miami for the next game. Deuce took the mic and replied, “I will go swimming.”

His name is on all of Tatum’s sneakers

Brian Babineau/NBAE

It’s no accident that Tatum’s sneakers have markings peeking out from the inside. The Celtics player explained to The Bleacher Report that he writes his son’s nickname on all of his game-day kicks.

“For those that don’t know, I have a 4-year-old son, and that’s his nickname,” he said. “You know, Deuce is the real superstar in Boston. And it’s crazy to see the reception and the attention that he gets. When I found out I was having a child in my rookie year, never in my wildest dreams did I think that he would be as big as he is. Just his personality and I think that people recognize the relationship that we have.”

In December 2021, Tatum wore a pair of Air Jordans inspired by Deuce’s favorite book, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, according to ESPN’s Nick DePaula. The year prior, Tatum brought children’s books into the NBA bubble to read to Deuce over FaceTime, including the book that inspired his sneakers.

He enjoys playing dress up and making music

Tatum has shared several photos of his son on social media over the years. In February 2021, the star forward shared a Snapchat video of the father-son duo singing karaoke. In December, he shared a photo of Deuce jamming out on a custom drum set. The set featured his name in the famous Boston Celtics font and colors.

Additionally, his father has shared photos of him playing with his superhero toys and costumes. He’s rocked several superhero costumes for Halloween, including Buzz Lightyear and Jack-Jack from The Incredibles.

After watching Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Deuce informed his dad that he’d like to be the web-slinging, wall-crawling superhero when he grows up.

“New spider man movie so good deuce told me, ‘daddy I think I changed my mind I might want to be spider man when I grow up. But I still want to be you,’ ” Tatum shared on Twitter. The NBA player added: “Good save son, good save!”

His parents met in high school

Tatum attended Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis, where he met then-girlfriend Toriah Lachell. In an interview with Graham Bensinger, Tatum said he found out that Lachell was pregnant in early 2017, just as his freshman season at Duke University was ending and his professional career was taking off.

The new parents were both 19 years old when they welcomed Deuce in December.

He has game-day traditions

Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald

Deuce is a big part of the Celtics family. Aside from crashing interviews and being honored on his father’s sneakers, he frequents the locker room and a courtside seat. Deuce can be seen hyping up the team and giving players high-fives. He will typically appear courtside both before and after games.

Before every game in TD Garden during the postseason in 2022, Deuce stood by his father’s side during the national anthem.

Tatum loves growing up alongside him

Tatum enjoys being a young father as he and his son are “growing up together.”

In 2022, Tatum shared, “I think it’s cool that he’s going to be able to see me as my career goes, and as he’s getting older now, remember certain things and interact and things like that. It’s definitely a plus [being a young father].”

When asked about Deuce’s fans, the basketball player added, “Every time he comes to a home game, people cheer when they see him. They scream his name when he comes to games on the road and here at All-Star [Weekend]. He has his own personality.”

The NBA player celebrated Deuce’s fifth birthday by making him giant pancakes and giving him a special shout-out on Instagram.

“Deuce Day!! Happy 5th birthday to my best friend in the world🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽Love you kid ❤️,” Tatum captioned a carousel of images with his son.

He’s a budding basketball player

According to Celtics player Grant Williams, Deuce already has some impressive basketball skills. Deuce has even handed out water bottles and towels to Tatum’s teammates.

“He’s a great passer,” Williams told The Boston Globe. “He’s a better passer than his dad sometimes. Honestly, though, he’s gotten so much better, too. He can dribble with both hands now. His jump shot looks good. He’s on his way. He’s coming.”

Deuce has also shown off his ball-handling skills during warmups.

In March 2024, Tatum told PEOPLE that Deuce is now playing on an organized basketball team. “So he’s really starting to fall in love with the game. It’s exciting to see that,” he shared.

He inspired his dad’s signature shoe with Nike

Tatum designed his first signature shoe — the Tatum 1 — under Nike’s Jordan Brand. The shoe comes in four colorways, including a black and red pair called “The Zoo,” which was inspired by Deuce’s love for animals.

“His name is on the inside,” Tatum told NBA on TNT. “People older than you and people younger than you can inspire you. My son has inspired me in more ways than I could have imagined.”

While working with Nike, the Celtics player was adamant that the Tatum 1 come in kids’ sizes.

“I remember being a kid, walking into the store, and looking for the signature shoes of my favorite players. The moment I saw the shoe or put the shoe on, I felt like I was in sync and closer to them in a way,” he said. “So, I want this shoe to be a bridge between my fans and me to bring us closer together.”

He watched his dad throw the first pitch at a Cardinals game

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty

In August 2023, Tatum was invited to throw the first pitch at a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. Deuce stood next to his dad on the mound as the NBA player delivered a strike to the catcher.

He watched his dad win the 2024 NBA Finals

Jayson Tatum celebrates during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals on June 17, 2024.Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty

In June 2024, the Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Photos captured Tatum and Deuce celebrating on the court as green and white confetti rained down from the ceiling at TD Garden.

“He told me you’re the best in the world. I said, ‘You’re damn right I am,’ ” Tatum said to reporters when asked to recount his exchange with Deuce following the big game.

Jayson Tatum’s Unshakable Confidence: The Bold Reason He Knows He’s Destined for Greatness

JON SCHEYER HAS done enough recruiting to know how ridiculous this story sounds, but he swears every word of it is true.

It was 2013. Scheyer was 25 years old and just getting started as a special assistant at Duke. One weekend in July, with Mike Krzyzewski off coaching Team USA, Scheyer was dispatched to an AAU tournament outside Chicago to watch a player they’d offered a scholarship to the week before, a sharpshooter named Luke Kennard.

Scheyer’s job, essentially, was to show up and make sure Kennard saw him in the stands. But as a wide-eyed novice on his first road trip, Scheyer couldn’t help but take a look around.

That’s when he saw Jayson Tatum.

“I’ll never forget it,” says Scheyer, who became Duke’s head coach this spring after Krzyzewski retired. “All the courts were right next to each other. Luke was on Court 3. So as I’m walking into the gym, the games are going on beforehand, and on Court 1, I’m walking through and I stop and I look, and I see this skinny 6-7 kid, who has the biggest baby face you’ve ever seen, just dominating. …

“From that point on, it was my mission. I felt like he belonged [at] Duke.”

Scheyer had enough self-awareness to know he might have been getting a little ahead of himself. Who spots a future NBA superstar 10 minutes into his first recruiting trip? But he did his best to convince Krzyzewski and the rest of the staff that the 15-year-old wing was special. Eventually, he established a rapport with the family, and soon Tatum’s mom, Brandy Cole, was texting Scheyer after Tatum’s high school games, typing things such as, “He needs to f—ing rebound!”

The Blue Devils wound up winning the 2015 national championship, and a few days later, Scheyer, Krzyzewski and associate head coach Jeff Capel traveled to Tatum’s 900-square-foot home in University City, a suburb of St. Louis. Cole made her famous tacos, and the Bud Lights flowed. It was the first and last time Scheyer had seen Krzyzewski drink beer — “he’s a big wine guy.”

Krzyzewski was giving his pitch, he was rolling, and Tatum was so overcome with nerves that he didn’t say a thing.

Eventually his dad, Justin Tatum, chimed in.

“Just so we’re clear,” he told them, “he’s coming.”

The coaches’ jaws dropped, Scheyer says. By then, Krzyzewski had recognized what Scheyer had seen in that fieldhouse in Chicago, and it was a victory to bring him to Durham.

“He has such an inner belief in himself,” Scheyer says. “You can’t teach that.”

Everyone who knows Tatum seems to come back to this. He might be naturally gifted, he might work on his game obsessively, but what seems to distinguish him in the biggest moments — and there have been many during these playoffs as he has led the Boston Celtics to their first NBA Finals in 12 years — is his belief in himself.

It’s not something he outwardly shows; about the closest you’d get to anything loud from Jayson Tatum was the fashion-forward pink-and-patterned multicolored jacket he wore to Chase Center for Game 1 of the Finals, which are tied 1-1 as the series with the Golden State Warriors heads to Boston for Game 3 (9 p.m. ET, ABC and on the ESPN App). But the conviction is there, and it has been built as solidly as his game in large part by a woman who gave up her own dreams so that Tatum could live out his.

Jayson Tatum hit five 3-pointers in the first half, but Boston lost to the Warriors on Sunday night, and the NBA Finals are tied 1-1. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
BRANDY COLE COULD not bring herself to tell her mom she was pregnant. She was 18 years old and supposed to go to college and play volleyball. Kristie Jursch had Brandy when she was young and reared her as a single mom. She wanted more for her daughter, and Cole knew it.

So she kept the pregnancy to herself as long as she could, trying to figure out the right way to broach the subject with her mom. She knew the glances that the news eventually would bring from others — Poor Brandy. She’s ruined her life — and was determined to prove them wrong.

The Golden State Warriors beat the Boston Celtics 4-2 in the Finals.

“I just didn’t want to be a statistic,” she says. “I didn’t want to take a semester off because I was afraid I would never go back. I just put my head down and I just dug it out the whole way.”

But when Cole was 3½ months pregnant, her body forced the issue. She collapsed from anemia while working at the photo counter at a Walgreens. She was in college by now, but still couldn’t tell her mom at the hospital and asked a friend to do it. Jursch walked in to the room and hugged her daughter. “We’ll get through this,” Jursch told her.

Jursch cried for about a week, then showered that baby with love. Cole would be sleeping, and she’d pull the covers off and start talking to her daughter’s belly. “My mom loved really hard,” Cole says. But Cole was independent. She didn’t want Jayson calling her mama “Mama.” She wanted him to grow up knowing she was his mom.

Shortly after Jayson was born, Cole left home. She knew her mom would want them to stay, so they slipped out when Jursch went to work. Cole was determined to do this on her own. And it was a struggle while she was juggling work, school and motherhood.

“There was a time we didn’t have any heat in the wintertime and we would have to turn the stove on to try and heat the house,” Tatum says. “I was sleeping in bed with my mom, ’cause we had one space heater, and we had to close the door.”

They were in it together in every sense. Cole brought Jayson with her to class, then did homework at night after she put him to bed.

His dad, a forward for Saint Louis University, played overseas after college. He was the first one to put a basketball in Jayson’s hands when he was a baby. By elementary school, when Jayson was telling people he was going to play in the NBA, it was kindly suggested he develop a backup plan.

“I would always tell them, ‘I don’t. I don’t have one. I’m going to make this work regardless of who thinks so or not, or the circumstances,’” Tatum says. “If I don’t, it’s either this or die. Nothing else matters.”

When Jayson was 13, Cole wanted him to train with Drew Hanlen, a St. Louis-based 21-year-old former college basketball player-turned-training guru. Hanlen was working with Bradley Beal, who’d committed to Florida and would soon be the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. Cole begged Hanlen to train her son, but there was one problem: Hanlen didn’t work with middle school players.

She reached out to Beal, whose mom, Besta, happened to have been her volleyball coach in high school. Beal put in a good word for Jayson. Though they were five grades apart, Beal would work out with him and give Jayson rides. Whenever Cole tried to repay Beal with whatever she could, be it gas money or a gift card for Imo’s pizza, he would say, “Stop it. That’s my little bro.”

Beal’s recommendation meant something to Hanlen, but what moved him even more was Cole. She said she’d take out a loan to pay for the training; whatever it would take, as long as he gave her son a chance to prove he was worthy.

“That to me was when I was like, ‘You know what, I’m going to train this kid because I see how much his mom is willing to do anything and everything for Jayson,” Hanlen says.

But she didn’t want handouts. Her son would work for everything. There was one point she was firm on: Nothing would be given to her or her son. Not free lessons, not opportunities he didn’t earn. She didn’t want to owe anyone anything.

“She always believed that I would get to where I am,” Tatum says. “And she never wanted somebody to have something to hold over my head. That was something that always stuck with me — if my mom couldn’t get it for me, then we just had to go without, and we would figure it out.”

That first session, Hanlen worked Jayson so hard he had to leave the gym twice because he was about to vomit. The second one, he brought in Scott Suggs, who was playing for the University of Washington. He says Suggs “destroyed” him in a game of one-on-one, and Hanlen was watching the 13-year-old, wondering how he’d respond to adversity.

Hanlen focused on Jayson’s mental game. Cole wanted her son to have humility; Hanlen was trying to make him a steely-eyed, arrogant winner. “I kept telling her even as a freshman, ‘He’s got to be an a–hole,’” Hanlen says, “And she was like, ‘No, I want my baby to be a humble star.’

“Junior year in high school, Jayson loses the state championship. And he had got a technical for dunking on somebody, hanging on the rim, and it was just really the ref kind of screwed him over, but they end up losing — that’s the point that matters. And after he lost the game, Brandy’s first thing is ‘Yo’ — because we didn’t think he was aggressive enough — and she goes, ‘Man, turn him into an arrogant a–hole.’”

Tatum’s mom, Brandy Cole, used to take him with her everywhere, including college lecture halls. Tatum’s son, Jayson Jr., right, is never far behind, either. From left: Courtesy Brandy Cole; Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
WHEN A DRAFT pick sneaks up on you, makes a bold move seem like an obvious choice, history is not always kind to the teams that come out on the wrong end of it. In the case of Tatum and the 2017 draft, the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers are left to rue their decisions.

The Celtics had the No. 1 pick, but traded down with Philadelphia, which used the pick to select University of Washington guard Markelle Fultz. The Lakers sat at No. 2 and were fixated on UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball. They didn’t even bring Tatum in for a workout. The reasons for these decisions are painful to revisit for those who made them, and somewhat lost to history because the principals — Bryan Colangelo (Philadelphia) and Magic Johnson (Lakers) — are no longer in their roles.

“The Lakers were my favorite team, and Kobe was my favorite player,” says Tatum, who wore a purple No. 24 wristband to honor Bryant in Boston’s win against the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. “So it was crazy that the Lakers had the second pick and I was so close to a dream come true. But it was just like they didn’t want anything to do with me at the time.”

The Sixers at least worked him out, but simply preferred Fultz’s skill set — he was seen as a better shooter and passer — to pair with their budding young stars, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

And at the time, many draft analysts saw it as a sound decision. Meanwhile, the Celtics turned some heads when they let it be known they had Tatum rated as the top player in the draft the whole time.

Out of high school, Tatum had been the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year. But he fell out of any No. 1 discussions when he missed the first month of his freshman season at Duke because of a foot injury.

“You miss the first part of the season, that’s when you’re getting a feel for the speed of the game and the spacing, and there’s an adjustment period that’s there,” Scheyer says. “But really, the last six weeks of the season, he was the best player in the country, and I don’t think it was even close. I think people just got caught up with [what happened] earlier in the season.”

But Danny Ainge, then the general manager of the Celtics, had gone to New York in March to watch Tatum play in the ACC tournament. He saw him score 24 points in a win against North Carolina and collect 19 points and eight rebounds in a victory over Notre Dame for the championship.

For a while, Ainge had strongly considered Fultz as the top player — everybody did. Then, according to a league source, Fultz came in for a workout, missed numerous shots and didn’t seem healthy.

It made Ainge think hard about Tatum, especially after the Celtics worked him out in Los Angeles. Long considered a midrange shooter, Tatum, who’d worked with Hanlen on his perimeter game, impressed the Celtics by sinking 3-pointer after 3-pointer. Up close, he was bigger and could make a variety of shots in different ways.

The only question was whether to take him No. 1, or roll the dice on a trade with Philadelphia or L.A., bet that they wouldn’t take Tatum and pick up another asset.

“After my workout, I remember one of the [Boston] scouts came up to me and said, ‘That was a great workout. I’m excited for you. But we got the No. 1 pick, so we’re not going to pick you,’” Tatum says with a laugh. “He still works for the Celtics now, so I f— with him all the time.”

The scout, whom Tatum politely declined to name, can laugh about that comment now. So can former Sixers coach Brett Brown. Well, sort of.

After the Celtics swept the Sixers in the first round of the 2020 playoffs, Brown, according to league sources, passed Tatum in the hallway on his way to the bus. He complimented Tatum on how his game had developed and noted all of his hard work.

Tatum appreciated it. Both of them knew how different their careers might have turned out had the Sixers gone another way in 2017, but there was no reason to dwell on it. Brown simply ended the conversation by telling Tatum that Philadelphia’s mistake in not drafting him had become obvious over the years, and he wished he’d had a chance to coach him. But Brown was glad he’d found a good home in Boston.

Brown was fired a day later.

Tatum declared for the NBA draft after playing one season for coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke, where he averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds. Michael Reaves/Getty Images
OF COURSE IT seems obvious now. Tatum has led the Celtics to the NBA Finals after the most complete season of his pro career.

Tatum, 24, dished out 13 assists Thursday in a Game 1 victory, which was the most for a player in his NBA Finals debut, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. He also scored a team-high 28 points in Game 2 on Sunday, but he struggled to find his rhythm in the second half of a 107-88 loss. From the All-Star break to the end of the regular season, he was one of three players to average 30 points, shoot 50% on field goals and 40% from beyond the arc. He also has improved his defense, stifling Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant in the first round of the playoffs and limiting an albeit injured Jimmy Butler in the Eastern Conference finals against Miami.

He was a first-time All-NBA selection this season and MVP of the conference finals. But even Tatum’s most ardent supporters concede his path to superstardom hasn’t exactly followed a straight line.

He showed flashes during his rookie year when Boston made the conference finals ahead of schedule in 2018. But the following seasons were marked with inconsistency. So it was hard to calibrate the expectations for him and Boston’s other young star, Jaylen Brown. But Tatum never lost faith.

“I think when you’re not confident, it’s because you don’t believe in your craft,” Tatum says. “But when you work so hard and you constantly put in the work, it’s impossible not to be confident and believe in yourself.”

Tatum grew up idolizing Bryant. It wasn’t the typical No. 24-wearing childhood infatuation, either. Kobe was everything to Tatum. He was 10 years old when Team USA went to Beijing for the 2008 Olympics, and Bryant was showing up with ice bags on his knees while the team was just sitting down for breakfast. “That dude was pushing himself harder than any human being I had ever met — waking up at 4 a.m. to hit the gym,” Team USA teammate Chris Bosh told reporters at the time. “That meant all of us were gonna push ourselves, too.”

Tatum was going to outwork everyone, just like Kobe. Tatum would wake up at 5:30 every morning, armed with the key to the Chaminade College Prep gym, and work out with Hanlen before class. His mom was by no means an early riser. “I can’t want it more than you do,” she’d tell him. So if she had to wake him up, “you don’t want it enough.” She knew he got it when she’d wake up and he was already gone.

Up Close with Sage Steele on ESPN+

Host Sage Steele sits down with Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum for an emotional interview. More episodes and more on Tatum on ESPN+.

Still, he was school-kid anxious when Bryant reached out to him to discuss an episode of his ESPN+ series “Detail,” which he’d produced on Tatum during the 2018 Eastern Conference finals.

Tatum didn’t know Bryant was focusing the episode on him, and when he finished practice one day, he looked at his phone and it had a bunch of messages with the video attached. He watched it at least 20 times.

“I went and I had a text message from him,” Tatum says. “He was like, ‘Hey, what’s up? This is Kobe. You’re playing great. I’m excited for you. Keep it up.’ He was like, ‘This summer, if you’re ever in L.A. and you want to connect, just reach out.’ At the time, I was 20. I had just turned 20.

“It was one of the coolest moments of my life.”

He took a screenshot of the text. That summer, Tatum took Bryant up on the offer. He called Kobe as soon as he landed in L.A.

To this day, Tatum watches clips of Kobe when he needs inspiration or a boost of confidence. This season, there were a lot of those moments.

The Celtics were in 11th place in the Eastern Conference in mid-January, and there were renewed calls to trade him and/or Jaylen Brown. Critics said they didn’t distribute the ball enough and couldn’t coexist. Were either of them good enough to be the best player on a championship team? Did they still need a third star to put them over the top?

Tatum says there were times throughout the season when he wondered, “‘Damn, am I good enough? Am I good enough to be the guy on the championship team?’ Like, ‘Man, maybe I’m not ready.’ But I just kept believing myself, kept doing what got me here, and just trusting that it would change around.”

Hanlen, who also trains Embiid, says Embiid will quickly fly him out at a moment’s notice when he’s struggling. But Tatum has a tendency to suffer in silence. One time earlier this season when Tatum sputtered, Hanlen didn’t even wait for him to call. He hopped on a flight at halftime, and they got back into the lab.

Whenever Tatum needs motivation, he thinks about his mom, who got her bachelor’s, master’s and law degrees while juggling motherhood and jobs.

“She dropped me off at school every day,” Tatum says. “She picked me up every day. She took me to every practice. She came to every game, even if she would be sitting in the car, studying for the bar exam. She just did it all. She inspired me, because my mom, she always gave me confidence. She told me that she would always support me in whatever I wanted to do, but she was always tough on me. She never let me make excuses.”

Impressed by his strong showing at the ACC tournament and a workout in which he showed his versatility, Boston picked Tatum third overall in 2017. AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
BRANDY COLE STILL makes the hard-shell tacos that Jon Scheyer calls “high-level.” Tatum will arrive back in Boston at 2 a.m. from a road trip, and he’ll text his mom that he’s landed. He’ll stop at her house, and she’ll warm up tacos for him.

Cole lives in a Boston-area townhome next door to her son.

They share a driveway, and when Tatum is on the road, Cole and her husband will make Tatum’s bed and do his laundry. And it’s by no means strange that they’re so connected, not when Tatum was trudging along to college classes with his mom as a little boy, and watched her clean houses for people with money and suits, then saw Cole become one of those women with a briefcase and a power suit.

They’ve been through everything together. There was a joke they had when he was growing up, when he was so quiet, yet so focused, and the only one who believed in his greatness was his mother. She’d go into his room and put two fingers on his wrist, and he’d ask what she was doing.

“I’m just checking for a pulse,” she’d say, “making sure you’re still here.”

She’d teach him to be a person who would say thank you, even if it was a personal chef making his meals, or someone moderately shocked that an NBA star could show such appreciation. She believed that she and her son could talk about everything.

Then one time when she visited him during his one year at Duke, she noticed something was off. She wondered whether it was the transition of a young man finally out on his own. She wanted to give him space, but it was hard for her. She’d cried and cried when she dropped him off at college, when she knew he’d be going to the NBA soon after and was never really coming home to St. Louis.

But on this trip to Durham, there was a disconnect. He dropped her off at the hotel that night, and she gave him a hug. “Listen,” she told him, “whatever it is, I got your back.”

At 3 a.m., he called her. He told her he was going to be a father. For a moment, she was quiet, and felt what her mother felt all those years ago. She reassured him. Most teenage parents deal with financial issues, she told him, but soon, he probably wouldn’t have that problem. She told him there was nothing he couldn’t get through, and that she’d be there to help.

Jayson Tatum Jr. was born Dec. 6, 2017. Tatum’s rookie season. He says 2017 was the biggest year of his life. He calls his son Deuce, and Tatum and Deuce’s mother, Toriah Lachell, co-parent. Senior and Junior spend much of their time at Cole’s house because Tatum says she’s the one who has all the toys and the food.

Cole will watch her son play, holding Deuce in her lap, and it’s hard not to think of the symmetry of it all, but Cole really doesn’t.

“I come from a long line of strong women who just didn’t make excuses,” she says. “It didn’t seem like a huge accomplishment or anything. It’s just what we do.”