Jayson Tatum’s Basketball Journey Shaped by Parents’ Love and Tough LoveThe Boston Celtics’ young star, Jayson Tatum, owes a great deal of his success to his parents, Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole-Barnes. They have been his steadfast support system throughout high school, college, and his time in the NBA.

Jayson was born on March 3, 1998, at Saint Louis University, where his parents Justin and Brandy started their tale. Even when they finally parted ways, Jayson remained a staple in his parents’ lives. When his father, Justin, was a collegiate basketball player at Saint Louis University, Jayson would frequently find himself in the locker room, listening in on the pre-game speeches. He would also accompany his mother, Brandy, to her studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

While growing up, Jayson’s close bond with his mother was evident. He once described Brandy as his “best friend” and proudly declared himself a “mama’s boy.”

The bond he had with his father, however, was more nuanced. While his father played basketball professionally in the Netherlands and occasionally visited Jayson, his mother was mostly responsible for raising Jayson. Their relationship was focused on basketball and Justin’s coaching style was particularly strict, so there was little time for traditional father-son activities. Although Jayson acknowledges that he was not raised in a typical father-son dynamic, he nevertheless values the “tough love” that helped him become more resilient both on and off the court.

Justin Tatum’s basketball background was influential. He played basketball at Christian Brothers College High School, where he also encountered former NBA star Larry Hughes, who would later become Jayson’s godfather.

Prior to starting his coaching career, Justin played college basketball at Saint Louis University. His career as a coach has included stops at several different institutions and running youth camps to develop future potential.