Jayson Christopher Tatum is a celebrated American professional basketball player. He plays as either a power forward or small forward for Boston Celtics in the NBA. He is among the best young superstars in the NBA. Jayson played college basketball for Duke Blue Devils and was a McDonald’s All-American in high school.
The Celtics number 0 currently holds the record for most points scored in an NBA All-Star game at 55. Additionally, he holds the record for most points ever scored in NBA playoffs’ Game 7 match.
He won his maiden title in the 2024 NBA Finals after leading his team to a league best of 64 wins. In 2022, Tatum won the inaugural NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP. Moreover, he is a five-time NBA All-Star as well as a four-time All-NBA selection.
Jayson won a gold medal at the 2022 Tokyo Olympics with the U.S. team. He has as well won gold medals at both the FIBA U19 and U17 World Championship in 2015 and 2014 respectively.
He was selected by the Boston Celtics in the 2017 NBA draft and voted to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2018.
Age and Birthday
Jayson came to the world on 3 March 1998 and is 26 years old in 2024.
Height
Tatum measures approximately 203 cm (6 feet 8 inches).
Religion
The Celtics star is a strong Christian believer who acknowledges Jesus Christ for his success. Additionally, he has numerous tattoos demonstrating his Christian faith.
Jayson Tatum Family
Parents
The NBA superstar’s parents are Brandy Cole-Barnes (mother) and Justin Tatum (father) both of African ancestry.
Justin a former professional basketball player is a professional basketball coach and a gym instructor. Brandy a former high school volleyball star and now a lawyer gave birth to Tatum while aged 18 and a freshman in college. By the time she realized she was expectant with Jayson they had already separated with Justin. Consequently, she brought her son up as a single mother.
Son and ex-girlfriend
Jayson and his high school girlfriend, Toriah Lachell (now separated) welcomed a son, Jayson “Deuce” Christopher Tatum Jr. on 6 December 2017. Deuce is now a Boston Celtics teams’ honorary member and fans favorite.
Notably, 2017 being as well Tatum’s rookie year in NBA must be a special year with double blessings for the young NBA superstar.
Jayson Tatum Career
High school career
As a freshman at Chaminade College Preparatory School, Jayson led the Red Devils to winning both the Metro Catholic Conference (MCC) and Missouri 2 titles. Furthermore, he was voted the 2013 MCC joint-Player of the Year averaging 13.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. In 2014 as a sophomore, he averaged 26.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.
At his junior year, Tatum attained a Second-team Naismith Trophy All-American honors as he averaged 25.9 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. As a senior, he averaged 29.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and recorded six 40-point games as he led his team to a second Missouri Class 5A state championship.
In 2016, Jayson was selected to the 2016 McDonald’s All-American Game and named the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year.
College career
Tatum made is debut for Duke University’s Blue Devils on 3 December 2016 recording 10 points in a 94-55 win over Maine. This is after missing the 2016-17 season’s first eight games due to injury. His outstanding performances in his freshman season earned him the ACC All-Freshman team and third-team All-ACC selection. He ranked fourth in both made free throws with 118 as well as free throw percentage and fifth in rebounds.
After his freshman season, Jayden decided to get into the 2017 NBA draft.
Professional career
Boston Celtics: 2017-present
NBA rookie and sophomore seasons: 2017-18, 2018-19
In the 2017 NBA draft, Boston Celtics selected Jayden Tatum as their second consecutive third pick for a small forward after Jaylen Brown in 2016. He made his NBA debut on 17 December 2017, as Celtics starting power forward recording a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in a 102-99 defeat against Cleveland Cavaliers. On 24 October 2017, in a 110-89 win over New York Knicks, he recorded a season-high 24 points. He carried on with his excellent form to make history as the Celtics youngest player to score 20 or more points in four straight playoff games at 20 years and 61 days. He consummated the season by being named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Furthermore, Jayson carried on with his fine form through the 2018-19 season ending it by winning the Skills Challenge competition.
Maiden All-NBA, All-Star selections and Celtics score records: 2019-20 and 2020-21
In a 119-93 win against Charlotte Hornets on 22 December 2019, Tatum tallied a then career-high of 39 points. He later pushed it to 41 points on 11 January 2020 in a 140-105 victory over New Orleans Pelicans. Subsequently, for the first time in his career, Tatum was named in the NBA All-Star and selected as a reserve for the Eastern Conference. Moreover, he was selected to the All-NBA Third Team, a maiden career selection.
Tatum and Celtics signed a five-year contract extension worth $195 million on 22 November 2020. On 23 February 2021, For the second time in his career, he was selected an Eastern Conference reserve for 2021 NBA All-Star Game.
On 9 April, in a 145-136 win over Minnesota Timberwolves, he scored a then career-high of 53 points becoming the youngest Celtic player to score over 50 points. Subsequently, become Celtics’ third-highest points scorer.
First NBA Final, All-time NBA record and First All-Star Game starter: 2021-22, 2022-23
In the 2021-22 season, For the first time in his professional career, Jayson led the league plus-minus confirming himself as among the best players in NBA. Additionally, Tatum played a crucial role as Celtics secured their first NBA Finals appearance since 2010. Consequently, he won the Eastern Conference MVP. At the Finals, Jayson set an all-time NBA record of 1000 turnovers in a single postseason.
On 30 November 2022, Tatum made history as the youngest NBA player to make 900 three-pointers at just 24 years. Subsequently, he became the first NBA player to tally at least 45 points, 10 rebounds and 8 three-pointers in numerous games. He was consequently named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month. On 26 January 2023, Tatum was selected as an Eastern Conference starter for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. This was his first starter selection and an overall fourth selection. The Celtics number 0 as well won the NBA All-Star Game MVP.
First NBA Championship and Record-breaking contract: 2023-24, 2024-25
On 4 November 2023, Tatum achieved another milestone becoming the youngest Celtic player to reach 10,000 career points aged 25 years and 246 days. On 25 January 2024, he received his fifth consecutive selection and second subsequent as a starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. He was instrumental as Boston Celtics won the 2023-24 NBA Championship.
Tatum signed a five-year contract extension worth $314 million, the most expensive deal in NBA history.
National Team Career
Tatum represented the United States in the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship held in Dubai winning gold medal. The following year he played for the USA winning gold medal in the FIBA U19 World Championship in Greece and selected in the Eurobasket.com All-World Championship U19 Second Team.
At the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, with Jayson the USA’s second highest scorer, the Americans won gold in the tournament.
Jayson Tatum Awards
NBA
- NBA Champion: 2024
- Five-time NBA All-Star Game: 2020-2024
- NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2023
- Three-time NBA First Team: 2020
- All-NBA Third Team: 2020
- NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2018
- ACC All-Freshman Team: 2017
- Third-team All-ACC: 2017
- McDonald’s All-America: 2016
- Mr. Show-Me Basketball: 2016
- Gatorade National Player of the Year: 2016
National
- Olympic Games: Gold (2020 Tokyo)
- FIBA U19 World Championship: Gold (2015 Greece)
- FIBA U17 World Championship: Gold (2014 Dubai)
Jayson Tatum Net Worth
The NBA superstar has an estimated net worth of $50 million as of 2024. His major income sources are basketball and endorsements.