Jayson Tatum shares funny personal stories about Michael Jordan and LeBron James

Jayson Tatum is having the summer of all summers. He kicked it off with a Boston Celtics championship in June, becoming only the sixth player in NBA history to lead a team in points, rebounds, and assists on his way to a title. Less than a month later, Tatum is preparing for a second run with Team USA at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Tatum and his girlfriend, famous singer Ella Mai, are reportedly expecting a child soon. While Tatum has not officially confirmed the rumors, a video of Mai sporting a Tatum jersey and a baby bump went viral after the NBA Finals. Not long after becoming a world champion, it looks like Tatum will welcome a second child into the world. 

On July 6, Tatum added another highlight to his incredible summer by signing the largest contract in NBA history. JT will make $314 million over the next five years as he enters his prime and continues his path to the Hall of Fame.

Not even a week after Tatum signed his new deal, NBA 2K announced him as the NBA 2K25 cover athlete. Tatum’s greatest summer yet could become even greater with the second gold medal of his career.

Tatum has undoubtedly become an NBA great. But he's long been bumping elbows with some of the all-timers.

Jayson Tatum recently joined NBA legend Carmelo Anthony on his podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, where he recalled the first time he met the great Michael Jordan. 

In 2019, Tatum signed with Jordan Brand. Tatum was invited to an event where Jordan shouted him out as his brand’s latest signing, and he officially met MJ for the first time at a dinner that night.

In a hilarious sequence of events, Tatum ended up spilling a glass of wine on MJ. Thankfully, the GOAT “was cool about it.”

"We had a dinner that night. I remember I was nervous as sh-t. I got there a little early before everybody else … My hands were sweating, my ass was sweating. I get up and I’m like, “Yo Mike, what up,” and I just boom knocked it (the wine glass) over and it broke. I was like, “Oh sh-t,” but he was cool about it. He was like, “Yo young fella, you alright. Go sit back down, you good.""

- Jayson Tatum

Since their unique first encounter, Tatum and MJ have grown close. The six-time champion has served as an important mentor for Boston’s franchise player. 

"Ever since then, we’ve been locked in. Right before my first time going to the Finals, I remember we got to San Francisco and I called him … We talked for a long time. He’s somebody that will text me after games. I got his name on my phone as ‘Uncle Mike’ so that’s my man."

- Jayson Tatum on his relationship with MJ

Jayson Tatum revealed a crazy childhood story about LeBron James

Heading into the 2024 Olympics, Tatum has gotten to share the court with the legendary LeBron James during Team USA exhibition games and training camp.

At a Team USA practice, Tatum told LeBron a crazy story about missing out on a King James autograph when he was just 11 years old. 

"He ain’t tell me no, but he kinda told me no. My mom took me to a game in Memphis. I wanted to meet LeBron, and I wanted to get a picture with him and an autograph. There were a lot of people back there, and he was like, “I’m out. I gotta go.” And I got in the car and started crying … but we cool now."

- Jayson Tatum

Tatum laughed about the story with LeBron, who responded with some hilarious banter. 

"He asked me for my autograph, and I ain’t give it to him? That’s why you dunked on me, though? That’s why you dunked on me in the Conference Finals? And by the way, that’s when you had that haircut. That’s the last time you had that haircut … when you punched on me."

- LeBron James

Tatum humorously called his signature dunk on LeBron a “get-back” for his 11-year-old self and his autograph sob story. He even told LeBron, “That’s why I chest-bumped you.”

The mean-mugging nature of Tatum’s rookie-year slam makes a lot more sense now. Needless to say, he probably doesn’t need that autograph anymore.