P.J. Tucker (2020) - Hall of Honor - University of Texas Athletics

P.J. Tucker

Induction:
2020
Class:
2006

A second-team All-America selection and the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year in 2005-06, P.J. Tucker proved to be the definition of toughness and efficient production during his three seasons with the Longhorns (2003-06). A two-year starter who saw time at the wing and the power forward positions despite being undersized at 6-foot-5, he played in 87 career games and made 69 starts. Following his three-year career, Tucker ranked 18th in UT history in career scoring (1,169 points), eighth in career rebounds (714) and tied for fifth in career double-doubles (28). As a freshman in 2003-04, he played in all 33 games (16 starts) and led the Longhorns to a 25-8 mark (12-4 Big 12 Conference) and a NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance. Tucker led the team in rebounding (6.8 rpg) and double-doubles (7) and was second on the squad in scoring (10.4 ppg) and field goal percentage (.547). A four-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week selection, he also earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition and was one of five players named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team. In his junior season (2005-06), Tucker helped the Longhorns record a 30-7 mark, a Big 12 regular-season championship (13-3 record) and a NCAA Tournament Elite 8 appearance. He claimed second-team All-America honors by The Associated Press and USBWA and third-team All-America recognition by the NABC, and he became UT's first Big 12 Conference Player of the Year. Tucker also was one of 10 finalists for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, given by the USBWA to the national college player of the year. The USBWA District VII Player of the Year, Tucker earned a spot on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team, the five-person Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship All-Tournament team and the NCAA Atlanta Regional All-Tournament team. A four-time Big 12 Player of the Week recipient in his junior season, he started all 37 games and led the team in scoring (16.1 ppg), rebounding (9.5 rpg), steals (66), minutes played (34.5 mpg) and double-figure scoring games (31). He tied for the conference lead in double-doubles (16) with teammate LaMarcus Aldridge. During UT's four-game NCAA tourney run to the Elite 8, Tucker posted four double-doubles and averaged 14.8 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. Following his junior season, he turned professional and was selected as the 35th overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in the 2006 NBA Draft. Tucker played 17 games during his rookie season with the Raptors in 2006-07, before spending the following five years playing professionally in Israel (2007-08, '10), Ukraine (2008-10), Greece (2010-11), Italy (2011) and Germany (2011-12). He returned to the NBA in the summer of 2012 and has played the last eight seasons with the Phoenix Suns (2012-17), Toronto Raptors (2017) and Houston Rockets (2017-current).