The Boston Celtics' third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft is already bearing fruit and then some. Jayson Tatum is as creative a scorer as anyone in the NBA on his way to becoming a superstar on the level of LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Alongside Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, Tatum can dust defenders with dribble moves or let his silky jumper go to work. It doesn't matter if it's the Milwaukee Bucks or the New York Knicks, Tatum's a gamer. But more important than his game or Jayson Tatum's girlfriend is his son, Deuce. But let's get to know the face of the Celtics franchise.
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Family fuels the Celtics star. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 3, 1998, to Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole. Justin is a gym teacher and basketball coach at Christian Brothers High School. At the same time, Brandy is an attorney and shares a close relationship with her son.
Now, Jayson has a family of his own. His road there was a little rocky.
Jayson Tatum's Ex-Girlfriends
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In his lone year at Duke University, Tatum dated volleyball player Samie Amos. The two were going along fine until news broke that the NBA star's ex-girlfriend Toriah Lachell, who he dated in high school, was pregnant with Tatum's child during his rookie year. Their son, Jayson Christopher Tatum Jr., aka Deuce Tatum, was born on December 7, 2017, when the basketball star was 19 years old. Tatum and Amos had a falling out shortly after his birth. The basketball player made an Instagram post celebrating his son's first birthday. Amos replied with a negative story aimed at her ex, per Sports Gossip.
The Celtics' small forward and baby mama aren't romantically involved, but they're cordial in raising Deuce. Jayson Jr. has become a staple at Boston home games. He circulated social media as a member of the Celtics' virtual fan section in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers in the Orlando bubble during the pandemic.
Jayson Tatum's Girlfriend Ella Mai
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Tatum's dating life recently became hard to pin down.
In early 2019, trending news surfaced that the NBA player was dating former X-Factor contestant and British R&B singer Ella Mai, who had the hit single "Boo'd Up," when the two started flirting over Instagram. Tatum made a trip to the singer-songwriter's Baltimore show on March 16, 2019, just hours after playing a home game against the Atlanta Hawks.
Ella Mai began her music career at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute, but the R&B artist really exploded once she went on The X-Factor. Her song "Boo'd Up" won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, and was also nominated for Song of the Year.
The two appeared to be going steady during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she visited his Missouri home in October 2020.
But reports began to surface in late 2021 that Tatum might be dating model Bella B. She showed up to his game against the Lakers in December of 2021, after all. But, then again, so did Ella Mai. So who knows!
Staff Photo By Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald
When Tatum isn't dating, he's leading the Celtics in taking down the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James along with Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns. He's looking to lead the Celtics back to the playoffs where they belong. But, as Graham Bensinger put on display, Jayson Tatum's son Deuce still comes first.
Tatum's love life has been nothing if not entertaining. Dating two girls at the same time? Check. Salty social media post? Check. Dating a famous singer? Check. No matter the relationship status, the NBA All-Star is an active father who radiates love for his son. Who needs an MVP award when you've got someone like Deuce to come home to?
