Watch: When LeBron made THIS Celtics star cry over autograph rejection; ‘That’s why you dunked on me’

A Boston Celtics star once shared how LeBron James made him cry after the player failed to get the superstar’s autograph when he was 11. The 27-year-old hilariously stated that he wants to share with the world how the Los Angeles Lakers superstar told him no. The incident is from his childhood, and the player wanted to bring the occurrence to James' notice.

Celtics star shares how LeBron made him cry over autograph rejection; takes his revenge

In a video posted by the NBA back in 2024, during a ball-signing activity in July 2024, Jayson Tatum revealed he went to watch LeBron James with his mother when he was 11, in Memphis, Tennessee. The forward stated that he was paid less attention when he approached James for an autograph. Following this, Tatum cried on his way back home in his car.

Tatum, in the video posted by the NBA, said:

“Crazy thing is, Bron told me no.”

The Celtics star continued:

“I gotta tell him about this story.”

Tatum said:

"He ain’t tell me no, but he kinda told me no.”

The player continued:

“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.”

Tatum recalled:

“There was 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”

LeBron asked Tatum about the situation and had a hilarious comeback reply. The 40-year-old joked on Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference finals and responded:

"That's why you dunked on me, though? That's why you dunked on me in the [Eastern] Conference finals?"

Tatum replied:

"It's the get-back."

Tatum’s father, Larry Hughes, was best friends with James when the two played together at the Cleveland Cavaliers. The incident, as per ESPN, is when Brandy Cole, Tatum’s mom, took him to watch a match between the Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies.

Tatum was a 20-year-old rookie back then when he dunked on James’ head in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Celtics forward then made a 27-foot step-back 3-pointer and helped his side lead by 1 point with just thirty-seven seconds left. He recorded 24 points on 9-for-17 shooting.