PJ Tucker is an American professional basketball player currently playing as a power forward for the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. Known for his defensive prowess, Tucker’s basketball journey is a testament to unwavering determination and resilience.
In the 2006 NBA Draft, Tucker was selected by the Toronto Raptors with the 35th pick in the second round. His NBA career had a rocky start, as he was often a benchwarmer. Undeterred, he held on to his faith in himself and his game, knowing that his chance for redemption might come one day.
The first stop of Tucker’s journey was in Israel where he joined Hapoel Holon in the 2007–08 season and led them to a league title while being MVP of the league. His contributions helped Hapoel Holon to break Maccabi Tel Aviv's 14-year streak as Israeli champions, as he was also named the 2008 Israeli Basketball Premier League Finals MVP.
Tucker's journey continued with stints in Ukraine, Greece, Italy, and finally Germany with Brose Bamberg, where he played an instrumental role in their 2012 championship victory and was crowned the Finals MVP.
In 2012, Tucker finally came back to the NBA with a contract from the Phoenix Suns. Over the next five years, he developed into the ultimate role player for the Suns, known for his gritty defense and timely 3-point shooting. His journey took another exciting turn in 2017 when he joined the Houston Rockets, becoming an integral part of their iconic small-ball team, often playing as a center in a lineup where everyone could shoot from beyond the arc.
From being a failed NBA player to an inspiring European tour and a remarkable comeback in the NBA, P.J. Tucker's journey is a testament to perseverance and dedication. Now, as he seeks another title, he continues to inspire both on and off the court.
P.J. Tucker Rings
P.J. Tucker has one NBA ring. He won that ring with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. Before joining Bucks, Tucker was an integral part of several deep playoff runs with Houston Rockets, but it was the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks where he finally won his ring.
Tucker actually signed for the Bucks midway through the season in March 2021 when Bucks made a crucial in-season trade by acquiring P.J. Tucker and Rodions Kurucs from the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard D.J. Augustin and forward D.J. Wilson.
Tucker proved to be instrumental throughout the playoffs, adding hustle, grit, leadership, and invaluable playoff experience. He excelled in his role as a defensive stopper, guarding the best players from opposing teams. Particularly in the Eastern Conference Semis against the Brooklyn Nets, Tucker slowed down Kevin Durant, holding him to a 11/28, 37.5% shooting in game 3.
In the 2021 NBA Finals, Tucker continued his lockdown defense, primarily guarding Devin Booker and Jae Crowder, making life tough for them. In the 2021 Finals, he played 31.3 minutes per game while averaging 4.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.
Despite playing only 43 games during his Bucks tenure, 23 in the postseason, Tucker has reached the status of a cult hero due to his crucial role in their first-ever championship run in 50 years.
FAQs
A. P.J. Tucker is 1.96 meters or 6 feet 5 inches tall.
A. P.J. Tucker weighs 245 lb or 111 kg as reported by the NBA.
A. P.J. Tucker was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S., on May 5, 1985.
A. P.J. Tucker has a commanding wingspan of 6 feet 10 inches.
A. P.J. Tucker plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
