The next few weeks have a chance to transform Jayson Tatum's career. The Celtics star knows a championship is all that matters in this Celtics season, and he's on the verge of moving one step closer with a return to the NBA Finals.
A Celtics season that began with championship-or-bust expectations rarely ran into any adversity, with both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis meshing well with the rest of Boston's core. While Joe Mazzulla's group hasn't won as comfortably as they hoped in every playoff game, the goal of the franchise's first title since 2008 remains very much in sight.
The Celtics have drawn plenty of star-studded support at TD Garden, from Ed Sheeran and Guy Fieri to David Ortiz and Bill Belichick. Tatum's biggest supporter, however, is his mother.
Here's what you need to know about Tatum's mom and their close relationship.
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Who is Jayson Tatum's mom?
Tatum was primarily raised by his mother, Brandy Cole, in the St. Louis area. She worked multiple jobs to make ends meet as a single mother while also attending college classes.
By all accounts, her devotion has never wavered. Cole stayed by her son's side throughout his high school basketball career, and she flew to his side when he suffered a concerning foot injury ahead of his freshman season at Duke.
Tatum called himself "the biggest mama's boy ever" in a 2016 interview with ESPN, calling his mom his "best friend."
Cole referred to her relationship with Tatum as a "unique" one, explaining that she's tough on him and holds him to high standards both on and off the court.
Cole was an athlete herself, as she played volleyball in high school and planned to continue playing at the University of Tennessee. Those plans changed when she found out she was pregnant, but she still insisted on getting her degree and attended classes at the University of Missouri-St. Louis with an infant Tatum often by her side.
The place to find Cole now is TD Garden, as she figures to be a regular presence at Celtics games as long as Boston's championship hopes stay alive.
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Jayson Tatum parents
Tatum's father, Justin, was a professional basketball player overseas after a college career that began at Saint Louis University. He played in the Netherlands from 2003-05 before returning to the U.S. and jumping into coaching.
Justin Tatum was a high school coach from 2006-23, serving as a head coach for all but two seasons in that stretch.
Justin was elevated to head coach of the Australian National Basketball League's Illawarra Hawks in February, after less than one season as an assistant coach for the team.
While Brandy raised Jayson as a single mother after she and Justin split up, Jayson's father remained involved in his life and was with the family on draft night in 2017.
Jayson's height is evident in his parents. His father is 6-6, while his mother stands at 6-foot. Jayson is listed by the Celtics as 6-8.
