Jayson Tatum's Dad, Justin, Named Head Coach of Illawarra Hawks: 'Proud of Him'

While the Illawarra Hawks are 2-7 to start this season, their roster includes six-foot-eight guard A.J. Johnson, a projected first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

While the Boston Celtics were pulling away from the New York Knicks in the second half of Monday night's 114-98 win at TD Garden, with Jayson Tatum generating 23 of his game-high 35 points after halftime, including 14 in a fourth-quarter takeover, news broke that the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League in Australia named his father, Justin Tatum, their new head coach.

That title comes with the interim tag as Tatum's stepping in for Illawarra's now-former bench boss, Jacob Jackomas. While the Hawks added six-foot-eight guard A.J. Johnson this offseason, a projected first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, they've gotten off to a slow start to the 2023-24 campaign, with their 2-7 record placing them last in the NBL standings, hence the coaching change.

Tatum was working as a scout and special advisor to the franchise. He has also coached the Global Women's Basketball Association team in St. Louis.

After Boston's victory vs. New York, his son conveyed the following to Inside The Celtics about his Dad's new job.

"Yeah, I found out last night," the four-time All-Star shared. "I'm extremely happy for him and proud of him. That's a big step. I know he's trying to build his resume and his coaching career. (He) won multiple state titles in high school (with) different teams. Been over in Australia for the last four months and is now the head coach of the Hawks. I'm excited for him and looking forward to him kind of turning that organization around."

Further Reading

From Jrue Holiday's Milestone to Jayson Tatum's Post-Ups, Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Knicks

Celtics' Jrue Holiday Discusses Reaching Career Milestone: 'I Didn't Know it Was Coming'

Jaylen Brown Says the Celtics’ Rebounding Helped in Win vs. Knicks

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Boston Celtics' Physicality vs. New York Knicks

Kristaps Porzingis Discusses Chemistry with Jaylen Brown: 'I Love Playing with Him'

Joe Mazzulla Shares What's 'Far Exceeded My Expectations' of Kristaps Porzingis

From Porzingis Pick-and-Rolls to Jaylen Brown Posters, Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Steamrolled Raptors

Jaylen Brown on Celtics Learning from Losses and Building Chemistry: 'It's a Learning Curve'

From Self Doubt to Celtics History, Jayson Tatum Discusses Journey to 10,000 Points: 'I Didn't Think I Was Good Enough'

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present