A major talking point when it comes to professional athletes and their come-up stories is the trials and tribulations they had to go through to make it to the big leagues.
Stories about athletes who grew up without figures to guide them are quite prevalent. While it could be heartwarming to some to hear of their favorite player persevering through it all, some NBA fathers don’t appreciate revisionist history.
Jayson Tatum and Dwyane Wade’s Fathers Have a Go at the NBA For Omitting Fathers
Lavar Ball has established himself as one of the most popular parental figures in North American sports. The way he marketed the Ball Brothers early in their basketball careers and helped them gain millions of followers is unprecedented.
So, it would make sense that he would lead a conversation about the importance of fathers in the NBA.
On the “The Ultimate Dads Unplugged” podcast, he sat down with the fathers of Jayson Tatum and Dwyane Wade. He went on to ask them about the erasure that sometimes occurs in the NBA when it comes to present fathers, and how the focus, more often than not, goes to the mother in raising these men into athletes.
“I’ve seen it when it started with the Draft, Mom got interviewed, and I was sitting right next to it. Nothing was asked to me. We know what it took to get our kids there,” said Justin Tatum.
While Tatum has acknowledged the shortcomings his father had during his childhood days, he understood that his parents were merely 19 years old when they had him. From what’s been reported on his childhood, Justin was very much present.
Wade’s father also shared a similar sentiment. “I had a hard time when my son first went to the league with them trying to separate the players from their dads. I tried to instill what I learned from my situation is sit back and let them mature.”
When the dream becomes reality, why are fathers suddenly pushed out of the picture? 🏀 Fame may test the relationship but it can’t erase the foundation. Watch the full conversation on YouTube at #UltimateDadsUnplugged #NBADads #Fatherhood #ParentsInSports pic.twitter.com/zPFEMK5GHW
— Ultimate Dads (@UltimateDadsPod) August 14, 2026
Wade also has a brilliant relationship with his father. He famously called his dad on stage during his Hall of Fame induction speech and wept with him in celebration of their achievements together.
Building up athletes is similar to building up superheroes. So, having them overcome the odds to make it to the league has led to some fantastic storytelling at times.
However, players now more than ever have access to controlling their own narrative. There has been an influx of these players speaking on their childhoods and setting the story straight. So while Justin and D-Wade Sr’s sentiments ring true, things are changing for the better.
