Jayson Tatum son, widely known as Deuce Tatum, has grown up alongside one of the NBA’s biggest stars. Born in December 2017, Deuce is the first son of the Boston Celtics forward and his former high school girlfriend, Toriah Lachell. Although he is still a child, Deuce has become familiar to basketball fans through his appearances at Celtics games and special moments with his father. His personality, love of basketball, and close relationship with Tatum have made him a recognizable young member of the Celtics family.
Deuce’s story also connects closely with Jayson Tatum’s development as a father. Tatum entered the NBA in 2017 and became a parent during his rookie season. Over the years, he has spoken openly about making time for Deuce despite a demanding basketball schedule. Tatum has described attending school events, taking his son to school, reading together, and sharing basketball experiences. In 2024, their relationship received even more attention after Deuce celebrated with his father on the court following Boston’s NBA championship.
Jayson Tatum Son Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. |
| Nickname | Deuce Tatum |
| Known For | Being Jayson Tatum’s first son |
| Born | December 2017 |
| Father | Jayson Tatum |
| Mother | Toriah Lachell |
| Nationality | American |
| Sibling | Younger brother Dylan |
| Father’s Profession | NBA player |
| Father’s Team | Boston Celtics |
| Basketball Interest | Has played organized basketball |
| Public Profile | Appears occasionally with his father |
| Famous Moment | Celebrated the 2024 NBA championship with Jayson Tatum |
| Book Connection | Inspired Baby Dunks-a-Lot |
| Public Career | None; he is a child |
| Current Status | Growing up largely outside the spotlight |
Who Is Jayson Tatum Son?
Jayson Tatum’s first son is Jayson “Deuce” Christopher Tatum Jr. He was born in December 2017 while Tatum was beginning his professional NBA career. People reports that Tatum and Toriah Lachell welcomed their son during that period. The child became known publicly by the nickname Deuce, a name that has followed him throughout his childhood. His father has frequently incorporated the nickname into his basketball career, including his shoes and other personal projects.
Deuce has spent much of his childhood around basketball because of his father’s career. He has attended Celtics games and appeared in NBA-related content with Tatum. NBA.com has featured father-and-son moments involving the pair, including pregame interactions and celebrations. However, Deuce is still a child, so much of his private life remains outside the public record. Most reliable coverage focuses on his relationship with his father, his interest in basketball, and memorable family moments rather than detailed personal information.
How Did Jayson Tatum Choose Deuce’s Name?
Jayson Tatum recently revealed an interesting story about his son’s name. According to a 2026 PEOPLE report, Tatum originally considered naming his baby Jackson. The situation changed when he held his newborn son after the birth. Tatum said the baby looked so much like him that he decided to give him his own name instead, making the child Jayson Tatum Jr. Toriah Lachell reportedly agreed to the decision as long as they found a nickname for him. That nickname became Deuce.
The nickname eventually became much more recognizable than the formal name. Fans, teammates, and basketball audiences have long known the youngster as Deuce Tatum. The nickname has also become part of Jayson Tatum’s basketball identity. Tatum has used “Deuce” on his game-day sneakers and incorporated his son’s interests into elements of his signature shoe line. This connection illustrates how fatherhood has influenced Tatum’s life beyond the court while allowing his son’s identity to remain distinct from his father’s celebrity.
When Was Deuce Tatum Born?
Deuce Tatum was born in December 2017, according to PEOPLE’s reporting on Jayson Tatum’s family. His birth came shortly after Tatum entered the NBA as the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Tatum was only 19 years old when he became a father. That timing meant that Deuce’s childhood unfolded alongside the early stages of his father’s professional basketball career. As Tatum’s career grew, Deuce gradually became a familiar presence around Celtics basketball.
Because Deuce is a minor, detailed information about his exact personal schedule, schooling, and private routines is not broadly documented by reliable sources. Public reporting instead highlights selected family moments. For example, Tatum has discussed being present for school activities and taking Deuce to school when his schedule allows. He has also described reading to his son through FaceTime during the 2020 NBA bubble. Those examples provide a glimpse into their relationship without exposing unnecessary private details.
Who Is Deuce Tatum’s Mother?
Deuce’s mother is Toriah Lachell, who was Jayson Tatum’s high school girlfriend. The former couple welcomed Deuce in 2017, before Tatum had established himself as one of the NBA’s leading players. Lachell has generally maintained a much more private public profile than Tatum. As a result, information about her personal life and relationship with Tatum is less extensive than the coverage surrounding the Celtics star. Reliable reporting primarily identifies her through her connection to their son.
Tatum has spoken more about his own responsibilities as a father than about the private details of his relationship with Lachell. In interviews with NBA.com, he has emphasized being present for Deuce’s school activities, birthdays, practices, and everyday routines. His comments suggest that fatherhood involves much more than sharing basketball experiences. Tatum has repeatedly described wanting to be involved in ordinary parts of his son’s childhood, even when his professional schedule makes that difficult.
What Is Deuce Tatum’s Relationship With His Father Like?
Jayson Tatum has consistently described his relationship with Deuce as an important part of his life. During the NBA season, their time together can be affected by travel and games, but Tatum has said he makes an effort to remain involved. He has talked about taking Deuce to school, attending school events, and spending time together away from basketball. Tatum also emphasized that he wants his son to experience him as a father rather than simply as a professional athlete.
Basketball is nevertheless an important part of their bond. Deuce has attended Celtics games and watched his father compete at some of the sport’s biggest moments. NBA.com has highlighted their father-son relationship in several features, including a 2023 video centered on Tatum’s commitment to being a father. Tatum has also discussed how much he enjoys watching Deuce develop his own personality. Their relationship has therefore grown through both ordinary family routines and memorable basketball experiences.
Deuce Tatum and the 2024 NBA Championship
One of the most memorable public moments involving Deuce came after the Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA championship. Following Boston’s victory, Deuce ran onto the court and embraced his father while confetti fell around them. The emotional celebration quickly became one of the most recognizable family images from the Celtics’ championship run. Tatum later told NBA.com that photographs from that moment were displayed at his own home, his mother’s home, and his grandmother’s home.
The championship celebration represented more than a basketball achievement for Tatum. It also became a public example of how closely his son has been connected to his career. Deuce had watched his father rise from a young NBA player to a championship-winning Celtics star. Tatum has repeatedly spoken about how meaningful it is to share those experiences with his son. Their 2024 celebration therefore became an important moment in the public story of Tatum’s fatherhood.
Does Deuce Tatum Play Basketball?
Deuce has shown an interest in basketball from a young age, although it is important not to assume that he will eventually pursue a professional career. PEOPLE reported that he began playing organized basketball during his childhood. Tatum has also talked about his son’s growing interest in the sport and his enjoyment of watching that development. Because Deuce is still young, his future athletic path remains open, and there is no reliable basis for predicting whether he will eventually become a professional basketball player.
Jayson Tatum has nevertheless imagined what it would mean to potentially play alongside his son one day. In 2025, he discussed the possibility of remaining in the NBA long enough to share the court with Deuce. Such a scenario would require many years of development and would depend on circumstances that cannot be predicted. Tatum himself has treated the idea as an exciting possibility rather than an established future plan.
Deuce Inspired Jayson Tatum’s Children’s Book
Deuce has influenced more than Tatum’s basketball career. In 2024, Tatum released Baby Dunks-a-Lot, a children’s book inspired by his relationship with his son. NBA.com reported that Deuce helped Tatum choose illustrations for the project. The book gave Tatum an opportunity to combine his experience as a professional basketball player with his experience as a father. It also demonstrated how his son’s interests have influenced projects outside the basketball court.
The project reflects a broader pattern in Tatum’s approach to fatherhood. He has frequently described wanting to create memories with Deuce rather than limiting their relationship to basketball. Reading has been part of their routine since Deuce was young. During the 2020 NBA bubble, Tatum arranged for copies of his son’s favorite books so he could continue reading with him through FaceTime. Those small routines became important ways to stay connected during a difficult period.
Does Jayson Tatum Have More Than One Son?
Yes. Although searches for “Jayson Tatum son” often refer to Deuce, Tatum also has a younger son named Dylan. PEOPLE reported that Dylan was born in 2024 and is Tatum’s son with singer Ella Mai. This means Deuce is not Tatum’s only child. The two boys have become an important part of Tatum’s family life, although the family generally keeps many personal details private.
The distinction matters because older articles about Tatum’s family naturally focused on Deuce as his only publicly known child at the time. More recent reporting has updated that picture following Dylan’s birth. Tatum has also spoken about both sons in connection with his recovery from his 2025 Achilles injury. PEOPLE reported that Deuce and Dylan helped lift his spirits during a challenging period in his rehabilitation.
How Fatherhood Has Influenced Jayson Tatum
Tatum has often connected his approach to fatherhood with his own childhood experiences. He has spoken about his relationship with his father, Justin Tatum, and how sports played a major role in that relationship. While he appreciates the guidance he received, Tatum has also explained that he wants to make sure his relationship with Deuce includes experiences beyond basketball. That perspective has influenced how he approaches school events, daily routines, reading, and other parts of his son’s life.
His approach became particularly visible during his recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2025. Tatum later described the rehabilitation process as one of the most difficult periods of his life. PEOPLE reported that his two sons provided emotional support while he worked toward returning to the court. By 2026, Tatum had returned to NBA action after a lengthy recovery, with family remaining an important part of his story.
Deuce Tatum’s Public Appearances
Deuce has appeared publicly with his father at Celtics games, celebrations, and selected NBA-related events. His courtside appearances have made him recognizable to Boston basketball fans, particularly because he often appears near Tatum during games and celebrations. NBA.com has published several pieces highlighting their father-son connection, including footage of Deuce joining his father during pregame activities and celebrating major victories.
Despite that visibility, Deuce does not have the same public role as his father. Most of his appearances happen because of family moments rather than an entertainment career or professional sports position. That distinction is important when discussing a child of a celebrity athlete. Publicly available information can describe moments that Tatum has chosen to share, but it does not provide a complete picture of Deuce’s private life, and there is no need to speculate about details that remain outside the public record.
Jayson Tatum and Deuce’s Future in Basketball
Jayson Tatum has openly enjoyed the idea of potentially sharing an NBA court with Deuce one day. His comments came partly in response to seeing LeBron James and Bronny James become an NBA father-son duo. Tatum described that achievement as remarkable and acknowledged that many things would have to go right for him and Deuce to experience something similar. The comments were framed as a hopeful possibility rather than a prediction about Deuce’s future.
For now, Deuce remains a young child who is developing his own interests. His exposure to professional basketball is unusual because his father is an NBA star, but that does not determine his eventual career. Tatum has emphasized enjoying his son’s childhood and being present for everyday experiences. Whether Deuce eventually chooses basketball, another sport, education, or an entirely different path remains unknown. His future should ultimately be defined by his own interests rather than his father’s achievements.
Deuce Tatum’s public profile is largely connected to his father, but his story has developed alongside Jayson Tatum’s NBA career. He was born during Tatum’s rookie season and has since appeared at Celtics games, family celebrations, and basketball-related features. His interest in the sport has also become increasingly visible. Still, reliable sources provide only limited information about his personal life, which is appropriate given his age and his family’s preference for privacy.
The family picture has also changed since Deuce’s birth. Jayson Tatum now has two sons, with Dylan born in 2024. Deuce remains the older child and continues to share a close public bond with his father. Tatum’s interviews show that fatherhood has become a significant part of his identity, while his sons remain largely protected from unnecessary public exposure.
Why Fans Know Deuce Tatum
Deuce Tatum has become recognizable because fans have watched him appear alongside his father during important moments in the Celtics star’s career. His presence at games, his relationship with Tatum, and the family’s 2024 championship celebration have made him especially familiar to Boston supporters. His father’s decision to incorporate Deuce into aspects of his basketball life has also helped create a public image centered on family rather than celebrity culture alone.
At the same time, Deuce’s popularity should not be confused with having an entertainment or professional sports career. He remains a young person whose future is still developing. The most meaningful documented part of his story is his relationship with his father and his growing interest in basketball. For fans, that provides an interesting look at the family side of an NBA superstar without requiring speculation about Deuce’s private life or future.
Conclusion
Jayson Tatum son, Jayson “Deuce” Christopher Tatum Jr., has been part of the NBA star’s public story since his birth in December 2017. Deuce was born during the early stages of Tatum’s professional career and has grown up watching his father become one of the Boston Celtics’ leading players. From courtside appearances to the emotional 2024 championship celebration, their relationship has produced several memorable moments for basketball fans.
Deuce’s story is also part of a larger family chapter for Tatum. The Celtics star now has a younger son, Dylan, born in 2024, while continuing to prioritize his relationship with Deuce. Tatum has repeatedly emphasized being present for his son’s everyday life, not simply his basketball experiences. Whether Deuce eventually follows his father into professional basketball remains unknown. For now, he is best known as Tatum’s son, a young basketball fan, and an important part of the NBA star’s life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jayson Tatum son?
Jayson Tatum’s first son is Jayson “Deuce” Christopher Tatum Jr. He was born in December 2017 and is Tatum’s child with his former high school girlfriend, Toriah Lachell.
What is Jayson Tatum son’s real name?
His full name is Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr., although he is widely known by his nickname, Deuce Tatum.
How old is Jayson Tatum son Deuce?
Deuce was born in December 2017. He turned eight in December 2025 and is eight years old in 2026.
Who is Deuce Tatum’s mother?
Deuce’s mother is Toriah Lachell, Jayson Tatum’s former high school girlfriend. They welcomed Deuce in 2017.
Does Jayson Tatum have another son?
Yes. Jayson Tatum also has a younger son named Dylan, who was born in 2024. Dylan’s mother is singer Ella Mai.
Does Deuce Tatum play basketball?
Deuce has developed an interest in basketball and has played organized basketball. His father has spoken publicly about watching his son’s interest in the sport grow.
Was Deuce at the 2024 NBA Finals?
Yes. Deuce celebrated with Jayson Tatum on the court after the Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA championship. The father-son moment became one of the memorable images from the celebration.
Why is Jayson Tatum son called Deuce?
Tatum originally considered another name for his son but decided to name him Jayson Jr. after seeing him at birth. Toriah Lachell agreed, provided they chose a nickname, and “Deuce” became that nickname.
Has Jayson Tatum talked about playing with Deuce in the NBA?
Yes. Tatum has discussed the possibility of staying in the NBA long enough to potentially share the court with Deuce. He presented it as a hopeful possibility and acknowledged that many factors would have to align.
Did Deuce inspire Jayson Tatum’s children’s book?
Yes. Tatum’s relationship with Deuce inspired Baby Dunks-a-Lot, a children’s book he co-authored. Deuce also helped with some of the illustration choices.
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