The days leading up to the NBA draft are a roller coaster ride of emotions for many who dream of making it to the league all their life. But for Jayson Tatum, the weeks leading up to his draft night were life-changing, to say the least. Tatum was hit with the news of his then-girlfriend’s pregnancy right after finishing his stint at Duke. It completely altered his personal aspirations and perspective on life.

However, because he was worried about his draft prospects, Tatum kept the heavy secret to himself. In an interview from a few months ago, he reflected on the sickening situation and how he kept it all from the Boston Celtics.

Jayson Tatum kept his girlfriend’s pregnancy a secret before the NBA draft

In 2016, 19-year-old Jayson Tatum was at the top of his world. Having finished an impressive college campaign at Duke, the young forward was ready to go pro in the 2017 NBA draft. Moreover, he was also dating his long-time girlfriend from high school, Toriah Lachelle. Things were going great for the young buck on all fronts. However, amidst all this, Tatum was hit with a wrecking ball that shattered his individual aspirations and forced him to take on the more responsible and selfless role of a father.

Right after finishing college, Tatum was hit with the news of Lachelle’s pregnancy. The overbearing news took a toll on the teenager. A few months ago, the 2x All-NBA forward appeared on the Graham Bensinger show. During the interview, among other things, Tatum harped on the life-changing experience of having a child before his career in the NBA took off. He said, ?I got sick to my stomach, because this was a week or two before school was ending, so in my mind I?m like I?m about to leave Duke, get ready for my the Draft, live my life ? have a blast. And then it?s like, ?No, you ?bout to have a kid.”

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Consequently, due to the tunnel vision effect, Tatum decided to keep it to himself and not reveal the pregnancy to anyone so as not to impact his draft prospects negatively. He reflected, ?I didn?t want it to impact where I got drafted, I thought that if teams knew I was about to have a kid, they were gonna think I wasn?t focused and that they wouldn?t pick me ? so I was terrified.”

When he finally revealed it to the Boston Celtics

Tatum managed to uphold the secret until the Boston Celtics drafted him as the 3rd overall pick. However, he gave in and revealed it to everyone a week before Lachelle was due.

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He recalled, “So I remember, I told Brad Stevens. I remember we were on the plane and one of the trainers knew. He was like, ?Have you told Brad yet? ? Isn?t she due next week? You might miss a game.? I?m like, ?Oh s?t.'”

Surprisingly, the then head coach of the Celtics was very supportive of Tatum through the entire process.