From high school to college and the NBA, Jayson Tatum’s parents, Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole-Barnes, have supported their son throughout his whole basketball career

Jayson Tatum credits his parents, Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole-Barnes, for their “tough love” in helping him achieve his current level of success in sports.

On March 3, 1998, while attending Saint Louis University, Justin and Brandy gave birth to their son Jayson. Though Justin and Brandy never shared a home and eventually called it quits on their romance, the future Boston Celtics player attended both of their schools as a child. When he was younger, he went to University of Missouri–St. Louis classes with his mother, and he would often find himself in the locker room with his father when he was playing basketball at Saint Louis University.

In November 2016, Jayson, who refers to himself as a “mama’s boy,” told ESPN that his mother Brandy is his “best friend.” “I’m the biggest mama’s boy ever, and I’m proud to say that,” he continued.

Parents of Jayson Tatum: Brandy Cole and Justin Tatum

One of the hardest things in the NBA player’s childhood was his relationship with his father. When Jayson was eight years old, his father left Europe to pursue a career as a professional basketball player in the Netherlands. As a result, Jayson was raised mostly by his mother. Jayson never shared a home with his dad. Despite the fact that his father has given him severe criticism and coaching methods, Jayson expresses gratitude to him for helping him to progress farther in his career.

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

The information on Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole-Barnes, Jayson Tatum’s parents, is provided below, along with all relevant details.

They were both in college when Jayson was born

Tatum Jayson with his motherWhen Brandy graduated from University City High School, a full athletic scholarship to the University of Tennessee was reportedly waiting for her, according to WCVB. This resulted from her four years of varsity volleyball team participation in high school. Not only was she one of the top five graduates in her class, but she was also the class president for her senior year.It is reported by ESPN that she fell pregnant shortly after graduating from high school and learned she was expecting Jayson. Rather than going to a school outside of the area, she decided to pursue a degree in political science and communications at a local institution in St. Louis. In order to help pay for daycare and school, she worked many part-time jobs in addition to her education.”It was really tough, but I felt like I had to do it for us both,” she said regarding her choice in an interview with the site.Throughout her additional education, including her time in law and business school, Brandy stuck to this pattern. When Brandy was a college student, Jayson would accompany her to classes. Jayson wrote on the time he and his mother spent going to school together in a piece published in April 2016 for The Players’ Tribune. He said, “I remember eating snacks or losing myself in books or video games while sitting in the back of her classes.”He went on, “I remained silent, listening in here and there; most of her professors seemed dull and talked a lot to me.” That being said, she had her priorities, and I had mine. It felt just like any other day. That’s what transpired in the end. My grandmother and I used to go to school together when my mother didn’t have enough money for a babysitter and she was still working.Justin was a student at Saint Louis University and involved in the basketball program during the relevant era. Jayson would have the chance to spend time with his father both on the court and in the locker room, where he could see the pre-game speeches firsthand. On the other side, his mother was his primary caregiver during his early years.Justin was a major star in the basketball world.

Jayson Tatum beside his dad Justin

When it came to becoming a star in the NBA, Jayson did as his father did. Larry Hughes, a former NBA player, was a basketball player for Justin’s future godfather while they were both students at Christian Brothers College. He continued to play basketball in college, juggling his budding athletic career with becoming a father at Saint Louis University.

Following his college graduation, Justin played professionally for three years in the Netherlands, where Brandy would accompany Jayson on his trips to see his father. It was “tough,” according to Justin, to spend ten months of the year apart from his son in the Netherlands, as he told Ladue News. He helped coach youth teams in his free time while serving abroad, a skill he brought back to the United States when he decided to become a coach instead of a player.

Following the conclusion of his professional career, he accepted a job at Soldan International Studies High School and spent the 2006–2007 season as the assistant basketball coach at Christian Brothers College, his alma school. According to his website, Justin finally went back to his alma mater to take on the role of head coach, a position he has held for more than ten seasons. In order to help kids learn basketball and make new friends, he has also been hosting youth camps for more than ten years.

As Jayson grew older, his father supported him in realizing his goal of becoming a professional basketball player by serving as his coach and trainer. According to the Boston Celtics player, his parents, particularly his father, “were extremely tough” and “took it easy” with him. In an honest conversation with Graham Bensinger in October 2022, Jayson revealed how his father’s coaching “put a strain” on their bond.

He remarked, “I feel like I lost out on a relationship between a father and son.” “My dad and I have only ever gone to haircuts and games or practices. We avoided visiting theme parks. All we did was basketball; we didn’t go fishing, on picnics, or actually have father-son conversations.

According to Jayson, his father would frequently yell at him, humiliate him in front of his teammates, and even throw the ball at him. “In his eyes, he wanted me to be the toughest,” the man clarified. He aspired for me to excel.

And that was how he was. believed I would play better and, in a way, I did, if he disturbed me,” he went on. “I would become quite angry. I would play better because I would become so furious.

Jayson credits his success today to the tough love he received from Justin, despite their tumultuous relationship growing up. “I appreciate that he was very tough on me; otherwise, I wouldn’t be here,” he said in his explanation.

Since then, Jayson and his father have gotten closer and their connection has been repaired.

Brandy practices law.Jayson Tatum and his relativesTATUM JAYSON Instagram

In addition to her several degrees, Brandy graduated from law school in 2010. Jayson would frequently sit by her side while she studied in law school, turning pages in some of her textbooks.

When he said he didn’t want to study “these kind of books” and that all he wanted to do was play basketball, she would respond, “Well, you better work really hard,” she remembered in an interview with Bleacher Report.

Justin is also the parent of two other kids: Kayden, a daughter, and Jaycob, a son. Playing football in high school, Jaycob attended Christian Brothers College, his father’s former institution. The team won two state titles while he was a member. On his father’s website, he says he plays football at Western Illinois University currently.

In 2016, Jayson commemorated Brandy’s marriage.Jayson Tatum and his relativesTATUM JAYSON Instagram

According to the Boston Herald, Brandy wed Marcus “Jake” Barnes in 2016. Barnes had previously served as a counselor at the Reebok All-American Camp. Jayson commemorated the event by posting a number of images from the wedding in the Bahamas on Instagram. He poses with the bride and groom in one picture as they match in their all-white outfits. “She’s now married! Glad for you, Mama! Love you both,” he captioned the photo.

He’s seen kissing his mother’s cheek in another picture. “Mommas boy till the end!” is how he described the endearing photo. I’m overjoyed for her.

Brandy made sure Jayson did well in school.Jayson Tatum hugging his momTATUM JAYSON Instagram

Brandy constantly taught her son the value of continuing his education and maintaining good marks. In an interview with Sentinel & Enterprise, Brandy discussed how she managed her son’s dedication to both basketball and academics.

Regarding her son, she remarked, “There was a time I had to call his bluff because I would always tell him that we don’t do C’s.” I knew he was capable of much more, therefore it was A+. He would always get by, but I once kept him home from a tournament when he tried me. It nearly took his life. I think it was grade four or five. After that near-meltdown, he realized I meant business.

Jayson barely spent a year at Duke University before being picked by the NBA, but Brandy’s one wish is that he completes his degree.

That matters a lot to me. Many Duke alumni return and complete their degrees. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, I informed him. In an interview with ESPN, Brandy remarked, “He’s seen how hard I’ve worked.”

According to Brandy, she knew Jayson would play in the NBA by the time he was in fourth grade, in an interview with Today.

“I could tell he was talented because he would take initiative and do things that were impossible to teach,” she remarked. “It seemed as though he was born with it.”

To make sure she was still pushing him to be his best while also letting him be a kid, Brandy made sure to set boundaries with herself.

We are not able to desire it more than they. The most important thing is that, she clarified. And occasionally, we might wish to exert additional pressure on them. I would tell him, “Listen, I will give you every opportunity, every resource, I’ll do whatever it takes, but you have to do your part,” and that was the line for me.

James “Deuce” Jayson is the father of Christopher Tatum Jr., and he is a proud man. The NBA player and his ex-girlfriend, Toriah Lachell, welcomed a son, Deuce, into the world on December 6, 2017. They were both nineteen years old at the time. He gave birth to his first child six months after being selected third overall in the NBA draft.

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

The star player for the Boston Celtics has also stated that raising his son is influenced by his own upbringing. “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,” he said in an October 2022 chat with Bensinger.

The next statement he made was, “I’ve always said I wanted to have a kid.” And I thought, “I wanted what I didn’t have, in a sense, so if I ever have a son, I’m going to make sure we are best friends.”

Jayson was a member of the winning team led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and one of the NBA players chosen for the 2023 All-Star Game. According to the NBA, he set a record with 55 points in the contest and won the Kobe Bryant Trophy after being voted MVP.

After the game, Justin celebrated his son’s accomplishment on Instagram, where he was present for the historic occasion. “Watching your child fulfill their dreams…” Is invaluable,” he commented, attaching a picture of himself and Jayson clutching the MVP trophy. “My buddy @jaytatum0 is the All-Star MVP. You’re a fantastic youngster, with the most points ever in an All-Star. Big Deuce, called LOVE Chump, .