Jayson Tatum Shares How Growing Up in a ‘Single-Parent Household’ Inspired His SoFi Partnership (Exclusive)

Jayson Tatum is reflecting on how growing up in a "single-parent household" affected his view on financial security.

As the Boston Celtics star, 25, announces his partnership with SoFi, the official new banking partner of the NBA, Tatum tells PEOPLE he feels grateful to be able to give back to other families, single-parent or not, from his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.

"I'm blessed to be in a position to help others from St. Louis, especially single-parent households like the one my mom raised me in," says Tatum, who adds that his "ideas and values" around financial education "are aligned" with SoFi's.

Earlier this month, Tatum and the bank announced the SoFi Generational Wealth Fund, a $1 million donation from SoFi to "promote financial literacy and create family-sustaining wealth," according to a press release.

The Fund will further the NBA star's S.M.A.R.T Project, an effort that assists single parents as they navigate parenthood, education and financial wellness through the Jayson Tatum Foundation. Specifically, the initiative will help to expand opportunities for homeownership for participating families.

Tatum tells PEOPLE, "With the SoFi Generational Wealth Fund, we're distributing $1 million towards the first key component of creating generational wealth — becoming a homeowner. That’s something that would’ve been life-changing for my mom and me."

"I’m proud to offer that with SoFi through my Foundation," he adds.

Earlier this month, the National Basketball Association and SoFi jointly announced a multi-year deal making SoFi the official banking partner of the NBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and USA Basketball.

Tatum explained that growing up, he and his mother "lived check to check" and "didn't understand the idea of saving money," during a live taping of Kenny Beecham's podcast at Tinker House in Indianapolis during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Now that he's in a position where he "can take care of" himself financially, Tatum told Beecham that he wants to "make an impact" and "help people that came from the same environment as I did."

The NBA star and his son, Jayson "Deuce" Christopher Jr., 6, meanwhile, have become fan favorites as Tatum's career continues to see success with the Celtics.

Just before the start of the current NBA season, Tatum served as a guest contributor for the NBA's Starting 5 newsletter, where he talked about balancing his career as a professional athlete with parenting Deuce.

Tatum noted that there are great moments that he feels fortunate to share with his little boy, saying, "The best part about being his dad in season is the games. That’s something we have really bonded over." 

"He loves watching me play, coming to the game and being in the Garden, running around in the back and playing in the locker room. Just seeing him develop over the years, his personality grows, especially in the Garden, has been amazing to see because we have grown up there together," Tatum shared.

And even when he's at his busiest, Tatum says, "Being a dad is the most important thing to me, so no matter what my schedule is, I will always find time to spend with him and some of my favorite memories come from our car rides."

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