NBA vet PJ Tucker set to receive first Nike sneaker collaboration

PJ Tucker may not be an NBA superstar, but he's arguably the MVP of the league when it comes to sneaker collections. Tucker's love for the shoe game is well-documented, with a collection of kicks spanning from flashy fashion pieces to absolute high-end luxury items like a custom pair of diamond-encrusted sneakers valued at over $250,000.

PJ sees himself as a connoisseur of art, music, fashion, and of course, sneakers. One of the NBA's most fashionable players, Tucker is frequently spotted showcasing his extensive collection of sneakers at games, on the sidelines, at red-carpet events, and in his other daily activities.

And now in 2024, PJ's love for the shoe game has earned him the backing from Nike, who will release their first collaborative sneaker project with the 39-year-old journeyman in the form of the Air Flight ’89 Low. The pair will be exclusively sold at PJ Tucker's Houston-based sneaker boutique, The Better Generation.

Big-time sneakerhead PJ Tucker is getting his first-ever Nike sneaker collaboration this May.

A North Carolina native, PJ's exclusive Air Flight ’89 Low mirrors a baby blue shade to that of UNC (University of North Carolina) Tar Heels threads. On the heel, beneath the iconic Flight logo, rests a unique emblem bearing the initials "PJ 17" symbolizing Tucker's name and trademark jersey number. The midsole, in a blend of white and off-white hues, complements a gentle baby blue outsole.

Tucker first unveiled the sneakers in early April, wearing them in a pre-game warmup session with the Los Angeles Clippers. PJ later gifted a pair to famed Lakers forward LeBron James, who donned the sneakers in a Game 3 playoff matchup loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Although this is PJ Tucker's first collaborative project with Nike on a wide-release set of sneakers, it's not his first rodeo involved alongside a sneaker brand. Back in 2018, he teamed up with luxury footwear and fashion designer Giuseppe Zanotti to design and craft the distinctive special-edition "Urchin Rocks" silhouette.

Given his strong passion for sneakers, Tucker has received exclusive player-specific color schemes from Nike on previous occassions. However, the release of the Nike Air Flight '89 marks the debut of a PJ Tucker signature shoe courtesy of the renowned Swoosh brand.

Named for its release year, the Nike Air Flight ’89 first debuted as a basketball shoe in 1989. It gained popularity through Scottie Pippen, who wore the sneaker before eventually getting his own signature model. The Air Flight '89s are notable for their striking resemblance to the Air Jordan 4 silhouette, which also had its first global release in the same year.

The collaborative PJ Tucker x Nike Air Flight '89 sneaker is scheduled for release on Sunday, May 5th, although a price tag is currently unknown as of this writing.