NBA star Jayson Tatum has just released his first children’s book. After a whirlwind of a summer for the Boston Celtics star, Tatum finds himself in the headlines again, but this time for a very different reason. The children’s book entitled Baby Dunks a Lot, is inspired by Tatum’s life as a father and NBA superstar. It follows a basketball-playing baby.
NBA Star Releases Basketball Children’s Book: Baby Dunks A Lot
Tatum is not usually known for his writing or storytelling. The Celtics power forward is coming off another career season. Not only was Tatum named to the All-NBA First Team for the third year in a row, but he finally won an NBA championship. Tatum became the youngest Celtics player to ever reach 10,000 points. He also was one of only six players to lead their team in points, rebounds, and assists during a championship run. Although Tatum had another excellent season, and the Celtics are the 2024 NBA champions, Tatum’s summer hasn’t been perfect.
Talk on Tatum this summer has been about the fact that his long-time running mate, Jaylen Brown, received the 2024 Finals MVP instead of him. Then, in the Paris 2024 Olympics, Tatum rode the bench at times while Team USA grabbed their fifth consecutive gold medal. Now, Tatum is in the headlines for his new children’s book, Baby Dunks A Lot.
This moment between Jayson Tatum and Deuce ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QkleeSlDzE
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 18, 2024
Jayson Tatum, Family Man
Family has always been a huge part of Tatum’s life. He often credits his parents Justin Tatum and Brandy Cole-Barnes for helping him throughout his journey to the NBA. His mother can still be found court side at Celtics games. Tatum’s relationship with his father was always a bit more complicated. This is largely due to his tough coaching techniques. Tatum still acknowledges that his dad’s tough love helped him get to where he is now.
Now Tatum is a father himself, and his new book Baby Dunks a Lot is a nod to his childhood and that of his son, Deuce Tatum. Tatum is celebrated for bringing Deuce around the Celtics team since he was a baby. Deuce is a regular at Celtics games. Although he doesn’t have the height of his dad yet, he is a standout face in the NBA stands. They famously celebrated Tatum’s first championship on the floor together in Boston.
Deuce Tatum shows off his dunking prowess!
2Q of MIA/BOS next on TNT pic.twitter.com/5lPUxSPEF4
— NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2023
The relationship between Tatum and Deuce inspired the creation of Baby Dunks A Lot. Sam Apple and his team approached Tatum almost two years ago with the idea, and Tatum was excited to join.
Baby Dunks A Lot
The children’s book written by Jayson Tatum and Sam Apple (illustrated by Parker-Nia Gordon) has officially hit shelves. The story follows a baby who while playing basketball with the big kids finds out that he can dunk.
.@jaytatum0 says that his new children’s book, “Baby Dunks-a-Lot,” is based, in part, “on the relationship that I have with my son.”
He tells CBS Mornings that the book is like sharing his family’s “routine and story with the rest of the world.” pic.twitter.com/QSCHDanyUz
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) September 10, 2024
Soon everyone, including NBA franchises, wants Baby Dunks A Lot on their team. Tatum spoke about how he wanted to make sure that this children’s book had representation of brown and black children. This is something that he wasn’t able to see in the children’s books he grew up with.
