Houston’s biggest fan
Rockets guard Gerald Green aims to inspire youth and rep hometown
Gerald Green, a Rockets guard and fan favorite, has a style that is a bit old school but all his own, especially when it comes to promoting his hometown.
The 32-year-old Houston native has a collection of more than 100 retro jerseys, including ones from the Astros, Rockets, Oilers and even the Aeros hockey team. His tattoos, which feature the Houston skyline, the Interstate 45 sign and the Oilers logo, also reflect his love for his hometown. And his standout hairstyles by local hair braider Sandra Finn have inspired Houstonians to flock to salons to get similar styles.
Green talked with the Houston Chronicle recently about his style, his tattoos and life after basketball.
Q: Why is your style so much about Houston?
A: Everybody always asks me, “Man, why do you rep Houston so much?” I’m no different than any kid who’s coming out of the northside or southside of Houston and wants to be successful or any kid coming out of Houston who has hoop dreams or whatever dreams they can think of. Obviously, playing for the Rockets is a dream, but I want people to know where I’m from and what I represent.
Q: Any Rockets player whom you admired growing up?
A: Clyde Drexler. He grew up not too far from where I grew up. I was like, “If he could make it pro and win the championship at home, I want to be able to do that one day.”
Q: Have you met him?
A: I did an event with Clyde and told him how much it was an honor for me. I was almost starstruck. I hope that one of these days I have that effect on a kid from Houston.
Q: Don’t you think you’re having that now?
A: No. I haven’t done anything. Not yet. If I could touch a kid, I’ve done my job. Hopefully, I’ll do a lot more with my career to really open some eyes to let kids know they can do the same thing.
Q: Do you feel pressure to dress in “GQ style” when so many NBA players are?
A: No, because I am me. I didn’t really have many clothes, but I like retro jerseys. This is what I wear.
Q: What was your first tattoo?
A: My first one was like the money sign, but I made it a “G.” You know, back in the day, I was called “GMoney.” So I got that.
Q: How old were you?
A: I was in the NBA. But growing up, my mom told me I couldn’t get any tattoos, no piercings, nothing. I had one ear pierced in high school. I tried to come home and be slick. I wore bandages over my ear (to hide it), and she ripped it out. I don’t mess with my mom. I never thought about getting my ears pierced again or tattoos until after I was grown.
Q: So your whole body is a tribute to Houston?
A: Pretty much. I also have the Houston skyline, then I got the I-45 highway sign. I got the Oilers symbol. I want people to know where I’m from.
Q: How did being in the NBA change your life?
A: You have a kid come from nothing to seeing his first check for a million something dollars. That will change you.
Q: What was the first thing you bought?
A: My Range Rover, and I bought my dad a car. I bought my mom a car, and then I paid off the crib that we used to live in. I was able to do that before I even played my first NBA game.
Q: How does it feel to do that?
A: Really good. I was a kid coming fresh out of high school. I prayed to God everyday, “God, I want to be able to take care of my whole family one of these days, can you help me out?”
Q: What do you want do after basketball?
A: I just want to be the best person I can be. The best father I can be to my kids, two boys (ages 6 and 3 who live in Boston). I don’t think I can make girls, but I want a girl.
Q: What’s the hardest part of being a parent and being in the NBA?
A: I have been moving around my entire career and all of their lives. I’m tired of changing their lives because of my life. I feel like it’s so unfair. My dad didn’t do that with me, so I feel like I don’t want to do that with my kids. When I am done, I just want to be a better father to my kids and just be the best person I can be.
Q: What brings you joy?
A: Just to help someone else out. That has always been my joy. Sometimes I help people that shouldn’t have been helped, but that’s always been me.