Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr., affectionately known to millions of basketball fans as “Deuce,” is the eldest son of Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum and his former girlfriend, hairstylist and entrepreneur Toriah Lachell. Born in December 2017 during the early months of his father’s rookie NBA season, Deuce has grown up under the bright lights of professional basketball, becoming one of the most recognized and adored children in the entire sports world. From his courtside appearances at TD Garden to his unforgettable championship celebration with his father in 2024, Deuce has captured hearts far beyond the basketball community, and his name has become inseparable from one of the NBA’s defining father-son stories.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. |
| Known As | Deuce |
| Date of Birth | December 6, 2017 |
| Age | 8 years old (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Mother | Toriah Lachell (Mimms) |
| Father | Jayson Christopher Tatum Sr. |
| Half-Brother | Dylan (born 2024, mother: Ella Mai) |
| Education | Private elementary school in the Boston area |
| Known For | Courtside appearances at Celtics games, viral NBA moments |
| Current Residence | Boston, Massachusetts area |
| Relationship to Jayson Tatum | Eldest son |
| Public Presence | Frequently seen at NBA games, press conferences, and family social media |
Who Is Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr.?
Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. is far more than simply the child of an NBA champion. He is a young boy whose presence has become woven into the fabric of Boston Celtics culture, a familiar face on the parquet floor of TD Garden who waves to fans, high-fives his father’s teammates, and occasionally steals the spotlight during postgame press conferences. Born on December 6, 2017, Deuce arrived during a transformative period in his father’s life — Jayson Tatum had been drafted by the Celtics just months earlier as the third overall pick, and at only 19 years old, he was simultaneously learning to navigate life as a professional athlete and a new father. The nickname “Deuce” emerged naturally after his birth. According to Jayson Tatum, the original plan was to name his son “Jackson,” a name he and Toriah Lachell had chosen together during the pregnancy. However, when the doctor placed the newborn in his arms and Jayson saw how much the baby resembled him, he made a last-second decision to name him Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. instead. Toriah agreed on one condition: they would need a nickname, because she did not want to call the baby Jayson around the house. That is how “Deuce” — a term meaning “the second” — became one of the most beloved nicknames in professional basketball.
Background and Early Childhood
Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. was born into a world where basketball was already the dominant force shaping his family’s daily life. His father had played just a handful of NBA games when Deuce arrived, and the young family was still settling into their new reality in Boston, far from their roots in St. Louis, Missouri. Deuce’s mother, Toriah Lachell, had moved to Boston while pregnant so their son could grow up close to his father, and she enrolled in cosmetology school just two weeks after giving birth, determined to build her own career alongside motherhood. From his earliest days, Deuce was present at practices, games, and team events, absorbing the rhythms of the NBA season as naturally as most children absorb nursery rhymes. He now attends a private elementary school in the greater Boston area, where teachers and classmates know him simply as Deuce, a cheerful kid with a wide smile and, according to some reports, a genuine love of reading. During school breaks and holidays, he travels to St. Louis to visit extended family members, staying connected to the city where both of his parents grew up, a place that remains deeply important to the Tatum family’s identity.
Parents’ Relationship and Co-Parenting
The relationship between Jayson Tatum and Toriah Lachell is central to understanding the environment in which Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. has been raised. Jayson and Toriah first met during their high school years in the St. Louis area — Jayson attended Chaminade College Preparatory School, an all-boys institution in Creve Coeur, while Toriah went to McCluer North High School in nearby Florissant, Missouri. They began dating around 2014, and a 2015 Sports Illustrated feature on the teenage basketball phenom included a brief mention of Toriah showing off her prom dress to Jayson. By early 2017, while Jayson was finishing his freshman season at Duke University and preparing for the NBA Draft, Toriah became pregnant. Jayson has spoken candidly about the fear he felt at the time, admitting that his initial reaction was somewhat selfish because he was consumed by his lifelong dream of being drafted into the NBA. The couple split shortly after Deuce’s birth, and the specific reasons for their breakup have never been publicly confirmed by either party. What has been made abundantly clear, however, is that both Jayson and Toriah committed themselves fully to co-parenting their son. They share custody, and Toriah relocated permanently to the Boston area so that Deuce could grow up close to both parents. Their arrangement has been widely praised by fans and media observers alike as a model of mature, child-centered co-parenting.
Parenthood and Family Life
Fatherhood transformed Jayson Tatum in ways he has described openly and emotionally on numerous occasions. In interviews, podcasts, and written essays, the Celtics star has repeatedly emphasized that becoming a dad at 19 was the single most important event of his life, even more significant than being drafted into the NBA. He has said that Deuce gave him a sense of responsibility and purpose that he might not have developed otherwise, pulling him away from the temptations and poor decisions that can accompany sudden fame and wealth at such a young age. Jayson has described their bond as one of growing up together — he was still a teenager learning the ropes of professional life while Deuce was learning to crawl, walk, and talk. One of the most personal rituals in Jayson’s career is writing “Deuce” on his basketball sneakers before every game, a quiet tribute that fans have noticed and celebrated over the years. In 2024, a second name appeared alongside it: “Dylan,” the name of Jayson’s second son, born that year to Grammy-winning British singer Ella Mai. While Dylan’s arrival expanded the family, the bond between Jayson and Deuce remains the emotional cornerstone of the basketball star’s public persona, and Deuce has been photographed spending time with his younger half-brother during family vacations and offseason getaways.
Supporting His Father Through Championship Heartbreaks
The journey to a championship was not a straight line for Jayson Tatum, and Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. was present for the painful detours as much as the eventual triumph. Before the Celtics finally won it all in 2024, Jayson Tatum endured four trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and a gut-wrenching loss in the 2022 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, where the team fell 4-2 despite Tatum winning the inaugural Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophy. Throughout these years of near-misses and public criticism, Deuce was a constant source of motivation and emotional grounding for his father. Jayson has spoken about how seeing his son at practices, games, and in the locker room reminded him that basketball success, while deeply important to him, existed within a larger context of family and love. The 2022 Finals loss was particularly painful, and Deuce was there for that too, a small figure beside his father in moments of vulnerability. In a league where athletes are frequently evaluated solely by their championship rings, Deuce represented something that no trophy could provide: unconditional pride and unwavering support from the person whose opinion mattered most to Jayson Tatum.
The 2024 NBA Championship and an Iconic Celebration
The night of June 17, 2024, will forever be etched into the memories of both Jayson Tatum and Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. as the most significant shared moment of their lives so far. When the Boston Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to clinch the franchise’s 18th championship, Tatum was initially overwhelmed, burying his head in his hands as green and white confetti rained down from the rafters of TD Garden. In that moment, Deuce sprinted onto the court and wrapped his arms around his father’s leg. Jayson turned, lifted his six-year-old son high into the air, and shouted “We did it!” — a scene that was captured by photographers and broadcast around the world, instantly becoming one of the most iconic images of the entire NBA season. During the postgame podium ceremony, Jayson was asked about his exchange with Deuce on the court. His response became an instant classic in basketball lore: Deuce had told him that he was the best in the world, and Jayson had replied with unfiltered joy and confidence. That photograph of father and son amidst the confetti — Jayson overcome with tears and Deuce beaming — has since been compared to some of the greatest championship family moments in NBA history, drawing parallels to the celebrated images of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.
Career Highlights and Public Recognition
While Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. is obviously too young to have a professional career of his own, his “career” as the NBA’s most beloved celebrity kid has produced a remarkable collection of memorable public moments. He first gained widespread attention as a toddler when he began appearing at Celtics games, and his visibility grew steadily as his father became one of the league’s premier players. By the early 2020s, Deuce was a fixture at TD Garden, participating in pregame warmups, mimicking his father’s shooting form, and charming fans with his playful energy. In May 2023, he participated in a children’s dunking contest that delighted the home crowd. One particularly viral moment captured him walking through the Celtics locker room, slapping hands with every player he passed as though he were a seasoned veteran making his rounds. He has also been caught on camera hilariously trying to wrestle with former Celtic Marcus Smart and getting his shot playfully swatted away by assistant coach Sam Cassell during pregame activities. These moments, shared across social media platforms millions of times, have made Deuce a genuine cultural figure within the basketball world, someone whose appearances at games are anticipated and celebrated by fans almost as much as the games themselves.
The Family Behind Deuce
Understanding the full picture of Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr.’s upbringing requires looking at the broader family network that surrounds him. On his father’s side, his paternal grandfather is Justin Tatum, a former college basketball player at Saint Louis University who went on to play professionally in the Netherlands before becoming a coach. Justin is currently the head coach of the Illawarra Hawks in Australia’s National Basketball League, where he led the team to their first championship appearance in 24 years in 2025. Deuce’s paternal grandmother is Brandy Cole-Barnes, a woman whose own life story is remarkable — she became pregnant with Jayson Tatum Sr. at 18, raised him largely as a single mother while earning degrees in political science, communications, and law, and eventually obtained a Master of Business Administration. Brandy is frequently seen alongside Deuce at Celtics games and is deeply involved in his life. On his mother’s side, Deuce’s maternal grandmother is Julie Gibbs, who raised Toriah Lachell in St. Louis alongside stepfather John Gibbs. Deuce also has a paternal uncle, Jaycob Tatum, born in 2004, who plays college football as a linebacker at Western Illinois University, and a younger paternal aunt, Kayden Tatum, born in 2014. His father’s godfather is former NBA player Larry Hughes, and his father is a cousin of Tyronn Lue, the former NBA player and current head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers — connections that tie Deuce to a rich basketball lineage extending well beyond his own father’s career.
Why People Search for Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr.
The search interest surrounding Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. reflects something deeper than typical celebrity curiosity. People search for Deuce because his story intersects with several powerful narratives that resonate across demographics and fan bases. There is the story of young fatherhood and how it shaped one of the NBA’s greatest players. There is the narrative of co-parenting done with grace and maturity by two people who were barely out of their teenage years when they became responsible for a child. There is the pure, uncomplicated joy of watching a small boy cheer for his dad from the sidelines of a professional sporting event, a reminder that behind every highlight reel and stat line, there are real human beings with families who love them. Deuce has also become a kind of emotional barometer for Jayson Tatum’s career — when things go well, the images of their celebrations together amplify the happiness; when the team falls short, the sight of Deuce comforting his father adds a layer of tenderness that pure sports analysis cannot capture. For many fans, following Deuce’s growth from a toddler into a school-age child has been a parallel journey alongside their fandom of the Celtics, creating a sense of connection and investment that transcends typical athlete-fan relationships.
Privacy, Accuracy and Public Information
It is important to acknowledge that Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. is, above all else, a child, and the public’s fascination with him should always be balanced against a fundamental respect for his privacy and wellbeing. The information included in this article is drawn entirely from publicly available sources, including interviews given by his parents, verified media reports from established outlets, and social media posts shared voluntarily by Jayson Tatum and Toriah Lachell. Details about Deuce’s specific school, daily routines, and private life beyond what his parents have chosen to share publicly are not included here, nor should they be sought by readers. Both Jayson and Toriah have shown a thoughtful approach to managing their son’s public exposure — while Deuce appears frequently at games and in carefully shared family moments, his parents have maintained clear boundaries around his private life. Any biographical account of a minor should prioritize accuracy over speculation, and where information has not been publicly confirmed — such as specific details about custody arrangements, personal preferences, or future plans — this article has refrained from guessing or inventing details. Deuce’s story is still very much being written, and the most respectful way to follow it is by appreciating what his family chooses to share while honoring the boundaries they have set.
FAQs
Who is Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr.?
Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr., nicknamed “Deuce,” is the eldest son of NBA star Jayson Tatum and hairstylist Toriah Lachell, born in December 2017 during his father’s rookie season.
Why is Jayson Tatum’s son called Deuce?
The nickname “Deuce” means “the second” since he is Jayson Tatum Jr. His mother Toriah wanted a nickname to avoid confusion, and the name stuck immediately.
Who is Deuce Tatum’s mother?
Deuce’s mother is Toriah Lachell Mimms, a hairstylist and entrepreneur from St. Louis, Missouri, who owns The Curl Bar salon in the Boston area.
Does Deuce Tatum have any siblings?
Yes, Deuce has a younger half-brother named Dylan, born in 2024 to his father Jayson Tatum and Grammy-winning British R&B singer Ella Mai.
Was Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. originally going to have a different name?
Yes, his parents initially planned to name him Jackson, but Jayson Tatum changed his mind at the hospital after seeing how much the newborn resembled him.
What was Deuce Tatum’s most famous public moment?
His most iconic moment was running onto the court to hug his father after the Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA Championship, creating one of the most celebrated images in recent NBA history.
Conclusion
Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. may only be eight years old, but his presence in the world of professional basketball has already left an impression that statistics and box scores could never capture. He is the child who turned a championship celebration into something deeply human, the boy whose courtside waves and locker room high-fives remind millions of fans that the athletes they cheer for are also fathers, sons, and family members navigating life just like everyone else. As Jayson Tatum continues to build his legacy on the court with the Boston Celtics, Deuce will undoubtedly continue to grow alongside him, their intertwined story evolving with each new season, each new milestone, and each new memory made together under the bright lights of TD Garden and beyond.