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[Saba Sports News] Parenthood is life-changing for everyone, including basketball stars. On Father’s Day, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum admitted he didn’t feel fully prepared to become a dad at a young age.
“When I found out I was going to be a dad, I was still in college,” he shared during his NBA Finals media availability on Sunday. “I had like a week or two left. I wasn’t ecstatic. I was a little selfish because I knew I was about to chase my dream of being in the NBA. I thought it would affect how people viewed me and where I went in the draft.”
Despite his concerns, the Celtics selected Tatum with the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old rookie soon realized that fatherhood was a blessing.
“I wasn’t super thrilled initially, but I quickly realized it was the best thing that could have happened to me,” he said. “There’s nothing better than being a dad. It taught me a sense of responsibility, especially at 19, coming into fame and fortune.”
Tatum’s son, Deuce, is now six years old. From attending press conferences to cheering on the sidelines, Celtics fans have watched him grow. Tatum believes fatherhood helped him mature and understand what truly matters.
“Having Deuce at that age grounded me,” he said. “I had to ensure he was taken care of. I couldn’t just do what my peers were doing because I had to put him to bed. Knowing he’s always watching, I have to be the best version of myself.”
On the court, Tatum has also grown. The 26-year-old has evolved from a two-way scorer and rebounder to a versatile wing who can handle defensive pressure with playmaking. He remains committed to doing whatever it takes to help his team win.
“We’re so close to what we’re trying to accomplish. Why would I let my ego or need to score all the points get in the way?” Tatum said. “We always talk about doing whatever it takes for however long it takes.”
Boston currently leads the 2024 NBA Finals 3-1 over the Dallas Mavericks. After winning three straight, the Celtics lost Game 4 in a 122-84 blowout on Friday night.
“I don’t think we expected to roll over and win,” Tatum said. “We had the right intentions and wanted to play the right way. We wanted that moment.”
Tatum struggled in Game 4, scoring 15 points (4-for-10 from the field) in 27 minutes due to early fouls.
The Celtics will try to close out the series in Game 5 on Monday night in Boston, but they know Dallas won’t give up easily.
“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. “Game 5 is the biggest game of the season because it’s the next game on the schedule.”