Jayson Tatum is a 26-year-old star forward for the Boston Celtics who has a net worth of $50 million as of 2024. Born on March 3 in St. Louis, Missouri, he has become a household name in the NBA. He is the son of former Saint Louis University basketball players Justin Tatum and Brandy Kerr. Tatum has a son, Deuce, who is known to be a family-oriented man. His godfather is former NBA player Larry Hughes, the cousin of Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue.
Early Life and High School Success
Jason Christopher Tatum Sr. attended Chaminade College Preparatory School in Creve Coeur, Missouri. From an early age, his talent on the basketball court was evident. Tatum earned numerous honors during his high school career, including a spot in the 2016 McDonald's All-American Game, where he won the skills competition and led the East with 18 points. He also participated in the Jordan Brand Classic, led the team to victory, and was named the 2016 Gatorade National Player of the Year.
College career at Duke University
Rated as a five-star recruit, Tatum ultimately committed to Duke, choosing the Blue Devils over other top programs like North Carolina and Kentucky. Despite missing the first eight games of the 2016-17 season with a foot injury, Tatum made a major impact upon his return. In 29 games, he averaged 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals. Duke entered the NCAA tournament as the second seed, but was upset by the University of South Carolina in the second round. After his freshman year, Tatum declared for the 2017 NBA Draft.
NBA Draft and Rookie Season
The Boston Celtics selected Jayson Tatum with the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Tatum signed a four-year rookie contract worth $30 million. He made an immediate impact, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in his NBA debut. Tatum helped the Celtics reach the Eastern Conference Finals with a 55-27 record, but lost to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games. In his rookie season, Tatum averaged 13.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Continued growth and first All-Star selection
In his second season, Tatum continued to develop, winning the NBA All-Star Weekend Skills Challenge. The Celtics finished the regular season with a record of 49 wins and 33 losses, but were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Milwaukee Bucks. The following year, Tatum was selected to the NBA All-Star for the first time, averaging 23.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. He was also named to the All-NBA Third Team, solidifying his status as one of the league's rising stars.
Major contract extensions
On November 22, 2020, Jayson Tatum signed a rookie maximum salary extension contract with the Boston Celtics, worth US$163 million over five years, with a potential maximum salary of US$195 million. In the 2020-21 season, Tatum was selected to the All-Star for the second consecutive time and scored a career-high 60 points against the San Antonio Spurs. Despite his efforts, the Celtics finished the playoffs as the seventh seed and were eliminated by the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs.
Selected to the NBA All-NBA First Team and Finals
In the 2021-22 season, Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, and was selected to the NBA All-NBA First Team for the first time. He led the Celtics to a 51-31 record and became the second seed in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, Boston defeated the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Miami Heat to reach the NBA Finals. Although they lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games, Tatum's performance was crucial throughout the playoffs.
Recent seasons and endorsements
In the 2022-23 season, Tatum made history by scoring 55 points in the NBA All-Star Game and won the Kobe Bryant MVP Award. The Celtics have the best record in the NBA in 2023-24 with the additions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. They defeated the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers to advance to the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.
Off the court, Tatum's brand awareness has grown significantly. He has lucrative endorsement deals with NBA 2K, Subway, Gatorade and Jordan Brand. His first signature shoe with Jordan Brand launches ahead of the 2023 playoffs, further boosting his profile.
Olympic success and personal life
In addition to his achievements in the NBA, Jayson Tatum also won an Olympic gold medal with Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He remains a key figure for the Boston Celtics and a standout athlete in the NBA. Tatum balances his professional and personal lives, is a devoted father to his son Deuce, and maintains a close relationship with his family.
Jayson Tatum's journey from high school prospect to NBA superstar is a testament to his hard work and dedication. As he continues to excel on the court and expand his brand off the court, his net worth and influence will likely grow even further.