Justin Tatum

Early life Tatum was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up with his mother, Rose Mary Johnson, and his younger sister, Kristen. He saw his father occasionally. His mother was an elementary school teacher and worked extra jobs to provide for her children.

Tatum grew up playing football, baseball and track and field. He did not start playing basketball until eighth grade. After spending his freshman year at Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School,

College career Tatum attempted to join the Saint Louis Billikens of the Conference USA for the 1997–98 season, but the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) ruled him ineligible for academic reasons. He failed to score high enough on the ACT and was subsequently diagnosed by a psychologist with a disorder that involved severe anxiety while taking tests. He was allowed to take the test untimed and registered a score high enough to qualify. However, the NCAA rejected the untimed score. He failed to become eligible for the spring semester, and because he hadn't enrolled as a full-time student until the second semester, he was ruled ineligible for the first semester of the 1998–99 season as well. In the 1999–2000 season, Tatum averaged 8.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 24.5 minutes in 32 games, including 16 starts. His NCAA eligibility subsequently expired and he had to join a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) program to complete his collegiate career. He helped the Bearcats finish with a 34–4 record and reach the NAIA Final Four.

Professional career Tatum made his professional debut with Aris Leeuwarden in the Dutch Promotiedivisie in the 2003–04 season. He helped the team win the Promotiedivisie championship, which earned them promotion to the first-tiered Dutch Basketball League (DBL).

In 2004, Tatum played for the St. Louis SkyHawks in the United States Basketball League (USBL). In nine games, he averaged 13.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. and averaged 15.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.8 blocks in 31 games.

Coaching career High school Tatum's first coaching stint came in the 2006–07 season as an assistant coach with his alma mater, Christian Brothers College High School.

In 2013, Tatum returned to Christian Brothers College High School, this time as head coach of the boys' basketball team. In his first season as coach, he guided the Cadets to their first state championship since 1997.

Illawarra Hawks and Pelita Jaya In February 2023, Tatum joined the Illawarra Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL) as its North American scout and special advisor to basketball operations.

In May 2023, Tatum was appointed an assistant coach of the Illawarra Hawks for the 2023–24 NBL season. On November 14, 2023, he was promoted to interim head coach when Jacob Jackomas was fired after the Hawks started the season with a 2–7 record. Tatum guided the Hawks to seven victories in his first nine games as coach, going on to lead them to a fourth-place finish and a 14–14 record. He subsequently finished as runner-up for NBL Coach of the Year. On February 22, 2024, prior to the Hawks' playoff campaign, Tatum signed a three-year deal with Illawarra to continue as permanent head coach. He helped the Hawks reach the semi-finals with a victory in the play-in game against the New Zealand Breakers. They went on to lose 2–1 to Melbourne United in the semi-finals.

Tatum entered the 2024–25 NBL season with the belief that the Hawks were a top-two team. The team started the season with a 6–2 record before going on to finish on top of the ladder with a 20–9 record. It marked the Hawks' first ever top-of-the-ladder finish in the club's 46-year history Tatum was subsequently named NBL Coach of the Year. He guided the Hawks to a 2–1 semi-finals series victory over the South East Melbourne Phoenix to advance to the NBL Grand Final. In the grand final series, he guided the Hawks to the NBL championship with a 3–2 victory over Melbourne United. It marked the Hawks' second championship in franchise history.

On April 24, 2025, Tatum was appointed head coach of Pelita Jaya of the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) for the rest of the 2025 season.

In the 2025–26 NBL season, the Hawks missed the finals with a 13–20 record.

Personal life Tatum has a sister and four half-siblings.

Tatum is the father of NBA player Jayson Tatum, born in 1998 to Brandy Cole. Tatum was heavily involved with Jayson's life while he was playing at Saint Louis, and when he was playing in the Netherlands, Brandy took Jayson overseas to visit his father.

Tatum's childhood friend, former NBA player Larry Hughes, is Jayson's godfather. Tatum's other two children are son Jaycob and daughter Kayden.