NBA star Jayson Tatum’s sneaker collection is so extensive that even he admits he has too many.
The Boston Celtics forward possesses over 150 shoes in his closet, ranging from a pair of one-of-100 Nike Kyrie Irving sneakers to high-end Christian Louboutins.
7Jayson Tatum has been collecting sneakers since high schoolCredit: Getty
7The Boston Celtics star has around 150 pairs of sneakersCredit: GQ Sports
7He has one exclusive pair of Nikes worth around $,8000Credit: GQ Sports
7Tatum gifts a pair of his shoes to a Celtics fanCredit: Getty
Tatum is such a sneaker head that he tries to secure new shoes before they are released to the public.
“Collecting shoes started when I was in high school,” he told GQ.
“That was when I was really focusing on basketball, when I was getting national recognition, and social media was taking off.
“I always wanted to get the new shoes before they came out. Now I’ve got about 100/150 shoes.
“I kind of feel I have too many now because most of the shoes are to look at.”
Among the shoes in Tatum’s collection are a pair of Nike Air Foamposite One Yots QS ‘Tianjin’, which sell for as much as $8,000.
“I’ve never seen anybody else with these besides Penny [Hardaway],” Tatum says.
“Very, very rare – I’ve only worn them two or three times.”
He also owns ultra-rare sneakers such as the Nike Air Foamposite One Paranorman, Zoom Rookie NRG ‘Galaxy Sole Collector’, Nike Air Foamposite One XX QS ‘Big Bang’, and Nike Kyrie 4 ‘Green Lobster’.
Tatum also owns a pair of Nike Kyrie 4 ‘Wheaties’, of which just 100 were made.
The NBA star has multiple Christian Louboutins and Air Jordans.
He takes such good care of his shoe collection that he cleans them with a toothbrush and hand towel.
Tatum says he prefers to have a “classic look” in his sneakers.
“People want to see what shoes you have,” he says.
“You got to have shoes, you got to have something on your feet.”
Tatum signed a deal with Nike in 2019 and recently released his second signature shoe with the Jordan Brand.
7Tatum signed a shoe deal with Nike in 2019Credit: Getty
7He recently released his second signature Jordan Brand shoeCredit: Getty
7Tatum ties his laces before an NBA gameCredit: Getty