From high school through college to the NBA, Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole-Barnes have supported Jayson Tatum.

His parents, Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole-Barnes, gave Jayson Tatum “tough love” that helped him succeed in sports.

Justin and Brandy had their son Jayson on March 3, 1998, while at Saint Louis University. The future Celtics player attended both of his parents’ schools, even though Justin and Brandy never lived together and dissolved their relationship. As a child, he accompanied his mother to classes at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and often joined his father in the Saint Louis University basketball locker room.

Jayson is a “mama’s boy,” telling ESPN in November 2016 that Brandy is his “best friend.” He said, “I’m the biggest mama’s boy ever, and I’m proud to say it.”

The NBA star’s relationship with his father was difficult as a child. When Jayson was 8, his father returned to the US from Europe to play professional basketball in the Netherlands, leaving his mother to raise him. Jayson never lived with dad. Despite his father’s severe criticism and teaching, Jayson respects him for helping him advance in his career.

Jayson told KSDK, “He saw the potential in me before I saw it in myself, so having him be that tough on me in basketball really made me tougher on and off the court.

All relevant information about Jayson Tatum’s parents, Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole-Barnes, is below.

They were college students when Jayson was born.

Mom and Jayson TatumAfter graduating from University City High, Brandy received a full athletic scholarship at the University of Tennessee, according to WCVB. This was because she played varsity volleyball all four years in high school. She was senior class president and one of the top five graduates.ESPN said that she fell pregnant a few weeks after graduating high school and learning she was pregnant with Jayson. She studied political science and communications at a St. Louis college rather than elsewhere. She worked many part-time jobs to pay for daycare and tuition.”It was really tough, but it was what I felt like I had to do for both of us,” she told the site.Brandy kept it up throughout her studies, including business and law school. Brandy brought Jayson to college classes. In April 2016, Jayson wrote for The Players’ Tribune on his school years with his mother. He said, “I remember sitting in the back of her classes, eating snacks or immersing myself in books or video games.”“I kept quiet, listening in here and there—to me, most of her professors seemed boring and talked a lot,” he said. I had my own priorities, and she had hers. It was routine. It happened like way. When my mother couldn’t afford a babysitter and my grandma was working, we went to school together.Justin played basketball at Saint Louis University. Jayson could spend time with his father in the locker room and on the floor and see the pre-game remarks. His mother was his primary carer during his childhood.Justin was famous in basketball.

Jayson became an NBA star like his father. Justin played basketball with Larry Hughes, his son’s eventual godfather, at Christian Brothers College. He played collegiate basketball at Saint Louis University while raising a child.

Justin played professional basketball in the Netherlands for three years after graduating from college. Brandy would take Jayson to visit his father. Justin told Ladue News that 10 months in the Netherlands without his baby was “tough”. He helped coach youth teams in his leisure time while abroad, a talent he brought back to the U.S. as he switched to coaching.

He was the assistant basketball coach at Christian Brothers College in 2006–2007 before joining Soldan International Studies High School. Justin has been head coach at his alma institution for almost 10 seasons, according to his website. He has also run child camps for over a decade to teach youngsters basketball and make friends.

Justin was Jayson’s coach, which affected their relationship

Jayson’s father trained and coached him to play professional basketball as he got older. The Celtics player said his parents was “extremely tough” on him, especially his father. Jayson told Graham Bensinger in October 2022 that his father’s teaching “put a strain” on their relationship.

“I feel like I missed a father-son relationship,” he remarked. “My dad and I only went to games, practice, and haircuts. We skipped amusement parks. Basketball was all we did—no picnics, fishing, or father-son chats.

Jayson stated his father would shout at him and toss the ball at him in front of his buddies. He said, “He wanted me to be the toughest. He wanted me to excel.”

“That was his way… “If he upset me, I would play better, and I did,” he said. “I would be furious. I played better while angry.”

Jayson credits Justin’s harsh love for his achievement, despite their tense relationship as children. “He was so tough on me, which I appreciate, because I wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t.”

In the years following, Jayson and his dad have become close and repaired their connection.

Brandy is an attorney

Brandy has many degrees, including a 2010 law degree. Jayson regularly flipped through her law school texts with her.

She told Bleacher Report that when he said he didn’t want to study “these kind of books” and wanted to play basketball, she said, “Well, you better work really hard.”

Justin has two other children

Justin has two additional children: Jaycob and Kayden. Jaycob played football at Christian Brothers College, his father’s alma mater, in high school. He won two state titles with the squad. His father’s website says he plays football at Western Illinois.

Jayson celebrated Brandy’s marriage in 2016

According to the Boston Herald, Brandy married Marcus “Jake” Barnes, a Reebok All-American Camp counselor, in 2016. Jayson posted Bahamas wedding images on Instagram to celebrate. He joins the bride and groom in all-white attire in one shot. “She’s married! Congratulations, Momma! I love you both,” he captioned.

He kisses his mother on the cheek in another shot. He captioned the touching photo: “Mommas boy till the end “I’m thrilled for her.”

Brandy ensured Jayson was a good student

Brandy always stressed high grades and education to her kid. Brandy told Sentinel & Enterprise how she balanced her son’s basketball and academic commitments.

“One time I had to call his bluff, because I would always tell him we don’t do C’s,” she said of her kid. B’s and above since I understood his potential. He always did well, but he tried me and I kept him home from a competition. It almost killed him. Fourth or fifth grade. He almost lost it, but he understood I meant business since then.”

Jayson barely attended Duke University for one year before being chosen to the NBA, but Brandy wants him to graduate.

“That’s important to me. Many Duke students return to graduate. I said, It doesn’t matter how long. He’s witnessed my hard work,” Brandy told ESPN.

Brandy knew Jayson was talented since elementary school

In an interview with Today, Brandy revealed she knew Jayson would join the NBA before fourth grade.

“I knew he was gifted — he would do things and make moves and that you couldn’t teach,” she added. “It was innate in him.”

Brandy established limits for herself to drive him to achieve his best while letting him be a kid.

“We can’t want it more than them. She said that was very important. I suppose sometimes we want to push them more. I told him, “Listen, I’ll give you every opportunity, every resource, I’ll do whatever it takes, but you have to do your part.”

They are grandparents

Boston Celtics #0 Jayson Tatum, his mother Brandy Cole, and his baby Deuce TatumBrian Babineau/NBAE/Getty

Jayson “Deuce” Jayson is pleased of his kid Christopher Tatum Jr. Deuce was born to the NBA star and his ex-girlfriend Toriah Lachell on December 6, 2017. Each was 19 years old. He had his first kid six months after being drafted third overall in the NBA.

In an interview with Today, Brandy called her grandson a “blessing all the way around.” She said, “To get to see Jayson in a different light, you know, in a different capacity, and see that something I never thought possible would bring him more joy than basketball — I think Deuce puts everything in perspective for him.”

The Boston Celtics’ star player also says his background influences how he raises his children. In October 2022, he told Bensinger, “When I was growing up, even when I was a kid, I always saw my friends with their dad and how their relationship was bigger than basketball and sports and how they were closer.”

Next, he remarked, “I’ve always said I wanted to have a kid.” “And I was like, if I ever have a son, I’ll make sure we’re best friends because I wanted what I didn’t have.”

Justin supported Jayson at the 2023 All-Stars Game

Jayson was on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s winning 2023 All-Star team. The NBA awarded him the Kobe Bryant Trophy as MVP after he scored a game-high 55 points.

Justin celebrated his son’s victory on Instagram after the game. “Seeing your child achieve their dreams… Is priceless,” he wrote alongside a photo of him and Jayson holding the MVP. “My child @jaytatum0 is the All-Star MVP with the highest points ever (55). You’re a great kid. Enjoy Chump aka Big Deuce ️.”