Celtics’ Jayson Tatum reveals how his son changed his life on Father’s Day

BOSTON — For basketball stars and regular people alike, parenthood is life-changing. And Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum admitted on Father's Day that he didn't think he was fully ready to become a dad at a young age.

“When I found out that I was going to be a dad, I was still in college,” he revealed during his NBA Finals media availability on Sunday afternoon. “I had like a week or two left. I wasn't ecstatic. I was a little selfish at that point because I knew that I was about to go chase my dream and be in the NBA. I felt like that was going to affect what people thought of me, affect where I went in the draft.”

Despite his situation, the Celtics selected Tatum with the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old rookie had a lot to learn in the league, but it didn't take him long to recognize that being a father was a blessing.

“I'd be the first to say I wasn't like super thrilled to find out I was going to be a dad, and quickly realized that it was like the best thing that ever could have happened to me,” he said. “There's nothing better than being a dad. I think, especially for me and my first year in the NBA at 19, it taught me a sense of responsibility. Because it's tough, being 19 years old and coming into fame and this newfound fortune.”

The five-time All-Star's son, Deuce, is now six years old. From Deuce's first time attending a press conference to his sideline cheering at TD Garden, Celtics fans have seen him grow up right before their very eyes. Tatum believes fatherhood helped him grow into an adult and understand what truly matters in life.

“I know that having Deuce at that age grounded me,” he said. “Whatever decision I wanted to make, I had to make sure that he was taken care of. I couldn't just up and go or do everything that some of my peers were doing because I had to go home and put him to bed … Knowing that there's a six-year-old mini me essentially watching everything that I do and knowing that I have to be the best version of myself. I have to make the right decisions because he's always watching.”

How Celtics' Jayson Tatum has grown on the court

On the basketball side of things, Tatum has grown as well. The 26-year-old has done his best to evolve his game over the years, shifting from a two-way scorer and rebounder to a versatile wing who can break down opposing defensive pressure with playmaking.

He's still known best for what got him drafted in the first round seven years ago, yet he's learned a willingness to do whatever it takes to propel his squad to a win.

“We're so close to what we're trying to accomplish, why would I let my ego or my need to score all the points get in the way of that,” Tatum said Sunday. “We always talk about do whatever it takes for however long it takes.”

Boston currently leads the 2024 NBA Finals 3-1 over the Dallas Mavericks. The Green Team rattled off three straight wins to start the series before the Mavs responded in a big way in Game 4, blowing out Boston 122-84 on Friday night.

“I don't think we came out and expected that we were going to come out and roll over on it and win,” Tatum told the media when asked about Boston's mentality ahead of Game 4. “I firmly believe we had the right intentions. We wanted to win. We wanted to play the right way. That moment—we wanted that moment.”

Tatum, like the rest of the C's, struggled in Game 4. He received a few early fouls and ended up scoring 15 points (4-for-10 from the field) in just 27 minutes of play.

The fifth round of the championship fight takes place on Monday night in Boston. The Celtics will try and bounce back to close out the series then, but realize Dallas isn't going to give up.

“We would love to win tomorrow, more than anything. But if it doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world,” Tatum admitted. “We have more opportunities. So just setting that table of don't surrender to that idea that we have to win tomorrow. We would love to, absolutely. But Game 5 is the biggest game of the season because it's the next game on the schedule.”

Game 5 tips off on Monday at 8:30 p.m. (EST) from TD Garden.