Jayson Tatum became a father when he was just 19 years old. The Boston Celtics star has often mentioned that it was the best thing that had ever happened to him. Tatum was blessed with a second son in 2024, and now, the NBA star is celebrating his offseason with his sons.

Tatum's eldest son, Deuce, with ex-girlfriend Toriah Lachell, was born in 2017.  He had previously revealed that he had Deuce when he had played 12 games in his career. Deuce is now eight years old, but Tatum's family has also grown as his youngest son, Dylan, was born in 2024 to partner Elle Mai. 

In the latest social media post, Tatum gave a glimpse of his offseason holiday with his sons. He posted a picture on his Instagram Story, holding Dylan without revealing his face as Deuce stood beside him on a beach. Both Dylan and Deuce wore a matching pair of black shorts and a T-shirt. 

The last two years have been the hardest in Tatum’s professional career and probably in Tatum’s life. The Celtics star ruptured his Achilles tendon, and during the intense rehab that spanned a month, Tatum’s sons were his biggest support. They kept his spirit high without any motivational speech.  

During an interview with People in 2025, Tatum revealed that while recovering from the Achilles injury, he saw Deuce watching a player on his tablet. At the lowest point in his professional career, Tatum asked his son if he thought his dad could play like that again. Tatum said Deuce looked at him as if he had asked a “Dumb question” and said, “Of course.”

Tatum made an unprecedented recovery from the Achilles injury. He returned to the court in less than 10 months. The Celtics lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round, but Tatum’s return was still a silver lining for Boston. They will look forward to resuming their championship quest in the next season.

Jayson Tatum’s mom reveals how the Celtics star's sons helped in his recovery 

In the first few weeks after Tatum went through the surgery following the Achilles injury, he wasn’t very willing to come back and work hard to get back to 100 percent. According to Tatum’s mom, Brandy Cole, during the initial tough week, Tatum’s sons became the biggest mood lifter and motivator for the Celtics star. 

Tatum said that his youngest son, Dylan, was fascinated by Tatum’s walking boot and often made noise. During those months, Dylan often slept on Tatum’s chest, which calmed the Celtics star down. According to Tatum’s mother, Deuce presented a different side. 

“Deuce didn’t cut him any slack,” Cole said. “When they were outside playing [basketball], he's like, ‘I can beat you now!’ We were like, ‘Way to beat a man while he’s down!’ Jayson warned him, ‘You got a couple of weeks.’”

She added that none of Tatum’s kids saw him differently after the injury. He was still their “Superman.”

“They still see him as this amazing giant figure who can do anything. I am certain that helped him,” Cole added.

Do you think Tatum’s return next season makes the Celtics championship contenders?

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Written by

Nandjee Ranjan

Edited by

Souvik Roy