Houston Rockets’ Forward PJ Tucker has made a living knocking down three-pointers and playing hard-nosed defense, but if you ask him, fashion is a big part of his identity as well.
The 10-year NBA veteran is known for his well-dressed tunnel entrances and a sneaker collection that looks like a Flight Club storefront. Tucker sat down with Complex to discuss his new sunglasses collaboration with Temples and Bridges, released on February 10th, as well as his passion for sneakers and fashion.
For the last year, Tucker has worked with Temples and Bridges on his debut collection. There are three different limited release colorways of the “June” glasses, which retail for $350 and are available at templesandbridges.com.
“I’m always thinking about changing things on something I like to make it something I love,” Tucker told Complex. “Glasses are the number one thing I do that with.”
As for Tucker’s sneaker collection, the excitement around which shoes he is going to break out each game has become must-see TV for sneakerheads. Tucker loosely guessed that he spends around $200,000 per year on sneakers, even keeping upwards of 80-100 pairs in the Rockets’ locker room.
Tucker has often worn player exclusive LeBron’s and Kobe’s and has a second official release for his Kobe 5 shoe.
“I don’t know if I can think of anything bigger for me than being able to have my own pair of my favorite pair of shoes,” Tucker said. “(Kobe) means a lot to me…I think for me, it’s even better than having my own shoe.”
PJ Tucker’s first Kobe release, “Kobe 5 Potro,” came last September. A date has not yet been announced for the second release.