Image via Complex Original
The Blue Devils of Duke University have been mentioned on the Complex Sneakers channel at least once a week since the beginning of the Men's NCAA basketball season due to their on-court sneaker choices. Junior point guard Tyler Thornton has taken to the hardwood in sneakers like the Nike Air Flight One "Orlando", Nike Air Penny V "Blue Eagle", and Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2K4 "Bright Blue." Recently we were able to speak to Tyler about some of his favorite sneakers and as asked him a few sneaker-related questions; all of which can be seen below, and by clicking through Tyler Thornton's Top 10 Sneakers Of All Time.
What sneaker, if there is one specifically, got you into sneakers?
I dont think there was one specific shoe that got me hooked. I just remember my pops bringing home a KICKS magazine in like '01 or '02 with Kobe on the cover. That's when I just got into sneakers in general - that magazine was great. That's when i started knowing sneakers names and all of that. My pops is really into sneakers too, so he definitely influenced me in that regard.
What is your favorite sneaker to hoop in?
My favorite shoe to hoop in as a kid was the Jordan 17. My favorite shoe to hoop in right now are the Flight Ones. Durable shoe and really comfortable.
What is the one shoe, with money being no object, that you would love to have?
The one shoe I would love to have are the Ray Allen 11 "Championship" PE. That shoe is perfection with the gold patent leather and green soles. Ray Allen has the best PEs and I would want those for sure.
After you check out Tyler's Top 10 make sure you follow him on Twitter and Instagram!
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10. adidas Crazy 8 PE
Thornton says: "During middle school and high school I played for the best AAU program, DC Assault, and we were sponsored by adidas. We had a lot of kicks; TMacs, Chauncey Billups and KGs, but my favorite shoe to hoop in was the Crazy 8. We had a dope colorway that will probably never come out. They were white with blue stripes and gum bottoms. Those were my favorite kicks I got over those six years."
9. New Balance 992
Thornton says: "Classic shoe right here. Staple in the DMV wardrobe. You can wear these with anything. They phased these out a few years back and replaced them with the 993 which is still a great shoe, but I prefer the 992."
8. Nike Air Flightposite III
Thornton says: "These shoes is so dope to me. I recently came up on a pair through IG, my friends sister @kayysole had some in stock and I had to cop. My favorite colorway are the black and blue ones that Allan Houston wore with the Knicks. I hope I can find a pair in that color so I can hoop in those at Duke."
7. Air Jordan IX "Cool Grey"
Thornton says: "I had these as a kid when they first released. At the time my feet were growing so fast that I could only fit them for like six months until my feet outgrew them. When they released last year, I had to get them."
6. Nike Air Flightposite I
Thornton says: "KG was my favorite player growing up. So when they came back out around five years ago I had to get them. The 'Eggplant' and 'Goblin' colorways are the best to me. There is a picture in one of our hallways of Chris Carrawell in a white pair with blue soles. I need them!!!"
5. Nike Air Foamposite One "Royal"
Thornton says: "Self-explanatory."
4. Air Jordan XVII "White/College Blue-Black"
Thornton says: "This shoe was like the biggest deal when they came out. Everything about the shoe was luxurious. I remember I went to the mall with my grandma and she bought the all-black ones for me. I did everything in those for a solid two years and they held up that whole time. They need to come back out ASAP."
3. Air Jordan VIII "Aqua"
Thornton says: "The first time I saw these was in a KICKS magazine where they did a feature in there on Fat Joe. There was a pile of his shoes and these just stood out to me out of everything. The design of the shoe, the colorway is just great - I still work out in mine from time to time. Can't wait for them to come back out."
2. Reebok Question Mid "Pearlized Navy"
Thornton says: "The first shoe I ever loved. I remember crying when my mom made me throw them away because they were so beat, haha. AI was that dude. And I had all of his kicks. This was the first shoe that got me into kicks."
1. Air Jordan XI "Space Jam"
Thornton says: "I was in Hawaii for a Christmas tournament my senior year in high school and I camped out for them. It was my first and last time camping out for a shoe, haha. This shoe is a masterpiece. Crisp and clean. Definitely my favorite shoe of all-time."
