Jayson Tatum has cited tough love from both of his parents growing up. The Boston Celtics star credits this same treatment as the reason for his success on the court today. Jayson was born on March 3, 1998, in St. Louis, Missouri to parents Justin and Brandy. The two were in college when he was born and spent most of his time at his parent’s respective colleges.

While Jayson claims himself to be a “mama’s boy” he told ESPN in 2016. Also, he thinks of his mom as a best friend and is very close with her. On the other hand, his relationship with his father has been complicated because while growing up Justin wasn’t always around and he was raised by his mother for most of his childhood.

But, the 26-year-old still credits his father’s unorthodox methods of coaching and showing him tough love has made him better not just on the court but off the court as well. As he told KDSK in the interview, “Having him be that tough on me in basketball really you know, made me tougher on and off the court“. Giving his dad credit for criticizing him and giving him that push which he needed.

Let’s dive deeper and get to know Jayson’s parents and his relationship with them respectively.

Jayson Tatum’s Ethnicity

Jayson’s ethnicity is predominantly African American. Both of his parents also share the same descent and he is proud of it. He has always spoken about the struggles of African American athletes and recognizes the need for their representation, particularly in sports. He believes that with representation in sports, the next generation will be inspired to do the same.

By sharing his journey and struggles Jayson aims to motivate other African American kids who may face similar struggles while chasing their dreams.

“It was really tough” – Brandy describes her experience of being a single mother

Brandy Cole, Jayson Tatum’s mother, was on her way to the University of Tennessee on a full athletic scholarship to play volleyball and was one of the top five students in her high school senior class. However, after graduating, she discovered she was pregnant and decided to attend college locally, enrolling at St. Louis University instead.

She earned her degree in Political Science and Communications while juggling part-time jobs to cover college and daycare expenses. In an interview with ESPN, Brandy shared her struggles, stating, “It was really tough, but it was what I felt like I had to do for both of us.” She emphasized that, despite the challenges, she was determined to succeed for herself and her son.

During this time, Justin Tatum was attending Saint Louis University and playing basketball. Jayson often spent time with his father in the locker room, soaking up the atmosphere and experiencing pre-game speeches firsthand.

Justin’s Basketball career

Jayson Tatum inherits his athletic genes from both his parents, who were athletes in college. However, basketball truly runs in his veins, thanks to his father, Justin, who played professionally. Justin began his basketball journey at Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, where he was born and raised. After graduating, Justin played for Saint Louis University while also balancing fatherhood and his basketball career.

Following college, Justin took his talents to the Netherlands, playing professionally for three years. He described the experience as “tough,” spending about 10 months a year away from his son and family. Once his playing career ended, he transitioned to coaching, starting as an assistant at his alma mater, Christian Brothers. He later spent a decade coaching at Soldan High and is currently the coach for the Australian team, the Illawarra Hawks.

“Give back and help people” – Jayson Tatum’s landmark partnership with SoFi

Jayson Tatum, raised by a single mother, understands the challenges faced by single parents and is committed to helping those in similar situations. He has partnered with finance company SoFi, which donated $1 million to Tatum’s charity foundation. This initiative aims to assist low-income and single-parent families with down payments on homes.

The five-time All-Star expressed, “Even when I was younger, I just knew I wanted to give back and help people who looked like me and grew up like me.” Tatum has consistently sought to support individuals facing struggles similar to those he and his mother endured. This is just one of his many charitable initiatives; he has also organized various events, including a hurricane relief rally to raise funds for victims in Florida and Texas after Hurricane Harvey.