Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr., better known as Deuce Tatum, is the eldest son of Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum and his former girlfriend, Toriah Lachell. Born during his father’s rookie NBA season, Deuce has grown up in view of basketball fans. His appearances beside Tatum, especially during the Celtics’ 2024 championship celebration, have made him a familiar face. Recent interviews and public family moments have offered a closer look at their father-son relationship.
Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr., nicknamed Deuce, is the son of NBA star Jayson Tatum and Toriah Lachell. Born on December 6, 2017, he is eight years old as of October 2026. He frequently appears alongside his father at Boston Celtics events and has a younger half-brother named Dylan.
Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. – Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. |
| Nickname | Deuce Tatum |
| Date of Birth | December 6, 2017 |
| Age | 8 years old (October 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Father | Jayson Tatum |
| Mother | Toriah Lachell |
| Younger Half-Brother | Dylan |
| Paternal Grandmother | Brandy Cole |
| Paternal Grandfather | Justin Tatum |
| Paternal Uncle | Jaycob Tatum |
| Paternal Aunt | Kayden Tatum |
| Known For | Jayson Tatum’s son and appearances at Boston Celtics events |
Who Is Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr.?
Deuce was born on December 6, 2017, only months after his father was selected third overall in the NBA draft. As of October 2026, he is eight years old and will turn nine in December. His birth came at a turning point: Tatum had moved from Duke University into his first professional season in Boston, becoming a parent at 19.
Readers may encounter his name as Jayson Tatum Jr., Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr., or simply Deuce. These names refer to the same child, not another member of the Tatum family. As documented in PEOPLE’s profile of Deuce, he has been part of his father’s public basketball journey since early childhood.
Although he is well known among Celtics supporters, Deuce is still a child. Most established information about him comes from his father’s interviews, appearances at sporting events, and family experiences shared publicly.
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Why Is Jayson Tatum’s Son Called Deuce?
The nickname has a particular family history. During a May 2026 conversation on Craig Melvin’s Glass Half Full podcast, Tatum revealed that he and Lachell initially planned to name their baby Jackson. When Tatum held the newborn, however, he felt an immediate resemblance and wanted his son to share his own name.
According to Tatum’s account, Lachell agreed to Jayson Jr. but wanted a separate nickname rather than calling both father and son Jayson. The family settled on Deuce, a name that became familiar among Celtics fans. Tatum explained the decision in a May 2026 interview reported by PEOPLE.
The same interview captured Tatum’s initial anxiety about becoming a father while starting an NBA career. He later described Deuce’s arrival as one of the most positive turning points in his life.
Who Are Deuce Tatum’s Parents?
Deuce’s father, Jayson Tatum, is a professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics and a member of the team’s 2024 NBA championship roster. His mother, Toriah Lachell, was Tatum’s girlfriend during their teenage years in the St. Louis area. Both were 19 when their son was born in December 2017.
Although Lachell is sometimes described primarily through her former relationship with Tatum, she has a life outside his basketball career. Public reporting establishes her role as Deuce’s mother, but it does not justify assumptions about private parenting arrangements. Tatum has openly discussed staying involved in his son’s life despite the demands of professional basketball.
The former couple’s relationship is an important part of Deuce’s family background, but it should not overshadow his individual childhood. Their shared connection is their son, whose family experiences have occasionally been documented through public interviews.
Does Deuce Have Siblings and Other Famous Relatives?
Deuce has a younger paternal half-brother, Dylan, whom Jayson Tatum welcomed in 2024 with singer Ella Mai. Both boys have appeared in public family moments with their father. Ella Mai is Dylan’s mother, not Deuce’s.
On his father’s side, Deuce’s grandparents are Brandy Cole and Justin Tatum. Justin played college basketball, while Brandy raised Jayson and has publicly supported his career. According to the NBA’s official biography of Jayson Tatum, the basketball star also has a brother named Jaycob and a sister named Kayden.
These relationships make Jaycob Deuce’s uncle and Kayden his aunt. Justin is his grandfather, not his father, a distinction that helps clarify searches about multiple generations of the Tatum family.
Growing Up Around the Boston Celtics
Deuce has been visible at Celtics games since early childhood, sometimes joining his father for pregame activities or appearing beside him during postgame interviews. During the 2022 playoffs, he answered a reporter’s question about visiting Miami by saying he planned to go swimming. Such exchanges helped fans recognize his playful personality.
The Celtics have also celebrated him in basketball-related moments. In February 2022, he presented his father with an All-Star ring at TD Garden. His nickname appears on Tatum’s game shoes, and Deuce inspired an animal-themed version of his father’s signature Jordan Brand sneakers. These gestures reflect the importance of their relationship to Tatum.
The Memorable 2024 NBA Championship Celebration
On June 17, 2024, Boston defeated the Dallas Mavericks to win the NBA championship. Deuce joined his father on the court during the celebration, and photographs of the pair surrounded by confetti became memorable images from the night.
Their embrace carried special meaning because Deuce had accompanied much of his father’s rise, from rookie season to championship. Tatum later described the championship photograph as one of his favorite pictures and said he kept copies in several family homes.
What Jayson Tatum Has Said About Fatherhood
Tatum has discussed trying to be present for ordinary family moments as well as major sporting events. In a November 2024 interview with NBA.com, he explained that he prioritized attending his son’s activities and spending time together around the demands of the Celtics schedule.
During the NBA’s 2020 pandemic bubble, when players stayed in Florida for an extended period, Tatum maintained a reading routine with Deuce through video calls. Copies of the same books were available so father and son could read together despite the separation.
In September 2024, Tatum released Baby Dunks-a-Lot, co-written with Sam Apple and inspired by his relationship with Deuce. He said his son even helped choose illustrations. The project provides a documented example of their bond influencing something outside professional basketball.
Does Deuce Tatum Play Basketball?
Deuce has shown interest in basketball, and his father said in March 2024 that he had started playing on an organized team. He has also been photographed handling a basketball during Celtics warmups, an experience that differs considerably from competing professionally.
When asked about potentially playing in the NBA alongside his son, Tatum has entertained the possibility while acknowledging that many things would have to happen first. Those comments reflect a father’s enthusiasm, not a prediction of Deuce’s future profession.
At eight years old, Deuce is still exploring his interests. His adult height, professional ambitions, and financial future cannot responsibly be determined from childhood appearances or his father’s accomplishments.
Deuce Tatum’s Public Moments in 2026
One of the most personal public accounts came in March 2026, when SLAM published a first-person piece attributed to Deuce about watching his father recover from an Achilles injury suffered during the 2025 playoffs.
He described trying to comfort Tatum, including involving younger brother Dylan, and enjoying additional family time during rehabilitation. He also expressed pride when his father returned to basketball. The account offered readers his perspective rather than relying entirely on descriptions from adults.
In September 2026, the NBA shared a playful video in which Deuce interviewed Tatum. After receiving pointers about introducing himself and asking a question, he asked his father about his favorite part of the summer.
According to PEOPLE’s September 2026 coverage, Tatum answered by recalling a family visit to Universal Studios with both sons and relatives. The exchange provided another example of their public rapport without turning Deuce into a professional interviewer.
Conclusion
Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. is best known as Deuce, the eight-year-old son of Jayson Tatum and Toriah Lachell. His childhood has intersected with memorable moments in Celtics history, especially the 2024 championship, and he has shared some experiences through interviews and writing. Beyond those public appearances, he remains a young boy growing up with his family, developing his interests, and forming memories with his father.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old is Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr.?
Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. was born on December 6, 2017. He is eight years old as of October 22, 2026, and will celebrate his ninth birthday on December 6, 2026.
2. Who is Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr.’s mother?
His mother is Toriah Lachell, the former girlfriend of Boston Celtics player Jayson Tatum. The two dated during their younger years and welcomed Deuce in December 2017, when both were 19 years old.
3. Why is Jayson Tatum Jr. called Deuce?
Deuce is his family nickname. Jayson Tatum explained in May 2026 that the parents originally considered the name Jackson before deciding to name their son Jayson Jr. They chose Deuce so father and son would have different everyday names.
4. Does Deuce Tatum have a brother?
Yes. Deuce has a younger paternal half-brother named Dylan, born in 2024 to Jayson Tatum and singer Ella Mai. The brothers have appeared together in public family moments and were both mentioned in Deuce’s 2026 account of his father’s recovery.
5. Is Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr. a basketball player?
Deuce enjoys basketball and began playing on an organized team as a child, according to his father. However, he is not a professional basketball player. Although Jayson Tatum has discussed the possibility of sharing an NBA court with his son someday, Deuce’s future career remains entirely open.
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