Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum opened up last year about his initial reaction to finding he was going to be a father. In an interview with Graham Bensinger, Tatum shared that he was sick to his stomach when he got the news from his then-girlfriend, Toriah Lachell. This news came at a crucial moment in his life, having finished his freshman season with Duke and he was focusing on the 2017 NBA Draft.
Tatum admitted to feeling a mix of shock and fear, mostly because of the timing of the pregnancy announcement. “I got sick to my stomach, because this was a week or two before school was ending. In my mind, I’m about to leave Duke, get ready for the Draft, live my life — have a blast. And then it’s like, ‘No, you ’bout to have a kid,” Tatum stated.
The NBA star confessed that initially, he put his career ahead of becoming a father. He was worried that news of the pregnancy might negatively impact his draft prospects. Tatum believed that if teams knew about his personal situation, they might doubt his commitment and focus on basketball. This fear led him to keep the pregnancy a secret from everyone, including his teammates and coaches.
Tatum, who was eventually picked third overall by the Celtics, later shared the news with head coach Brad Stevens, who he described as “real supportive.” His son, Jayson Tatum Jr., also known as “Deuce,” was born in December 2017.
Who is Jayson Tatum’s son’s mother?
Toriah Lachell, the mother of Jayson Tatum’s son, is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. Lachell is 23 years old and she moved to Boston in 2018. She is an entrepreneur and the owner of The Curl Bar Boston, a hair salon. The couple met during their high school years and started dating. Lachell was an athlete, she played varsity soccer for four years and she also spent two years each in junior varsity and varsity softball.
Tatum and Lachell are no longer in a romantic relationship but they both play active roles in their son’s life. They co-parent Deuce, maintaining an equal presence in his life while living in the same city.
Jayson Tatum and Ella Mai at Marcus Smart’s wedding 🔥
(Via Abby Jiu Photography) pic.twitter.com/XhgKPb6vtR
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 23, 2023
While, the details of their separation are still unclear, both are committed to co-parenting and providing a stable environment for their son. Tatum, apart from his successful basketball career, has also been rumored to be dating British R&B singer Ella Mai.