When Ricky Rubio was drafted eight years ago, the term “Boy Wonder” was the go-to descriptor for the gangly Spanish teen with the matinee idol hair. But this summer, as if from a cave, a more grizzled Ricky suddenly emerged. During the EuroBasket championship, his hair was long and wild, his beard bushy and he’d appeared to have added 20 pounds of man muscle—he’d basically gone Full Castaway. We spoke with the Jazz point guard, currently enjoying a career-high in scoring, about his recent style transformation and how it’s affected his on-court mentality.

GQ: What led to the dramatic physical change you went through this summer?

Ricky Rubio: During (last) season I was going through a lot of things and I decided to let my hair grow in the summer. And it was feeling good, I was looking good. And I played better.

What was the reaction of your teammates on the Spanish national team?

They made fun of my long hair, but I think they were just jealous. I think they were making fun so they didn’t show that they were jealous.

Which Gasol brother smells better?

[Laughs] If I went with one it would be Marc.

How did it feel at first playing with a big, thick beard?

It felt good. I felt like I was looking tougher. It made me play more aggressive, which I wanted. I’m still the same person but the beard makes me look a little tougher. It started with the look and showed on the basketball court.

Thoughts on James Harden’s beard?

For my tastes, his is a little too long, but it’s a good look for him. But if you grow a beard like that, sometimes it’s harder to maintain.

What is your personal beard maintenance routine?

I use some lotion and add some conditioner in the shower. I tried to not let it grow too crazy because the hairs just grow one way and another.

People talk a lot about your hair. What’s your hair philosophy?

In practice I usually do a man bun cause it’s easier. In the games I like to wear it with gel, all the way back so it doesn’t bother me. But not too much (gel). Too much gel is no fun.

Man-buns are very controversial, no?

Some people like it, some people not. I did an Instagram poll where I asked: man-bun or not, and no man-bun won. And I’m trying to follow what the people want. But sometimes I go out of the line and go back to my man-bun.

Where do you pick up style tips?

I use a lot of Pinterest to follow trends. I’ll go on there and see guys with man-buns and beards now that I have one. If I see a look that I like, I try to copy.

Looking back, what’s your biggest style regret?

I make a lot of mistakes. One time I mixed dark blue and black in a suit.

If you could give one piece of style advice, what would it be?

Look good but feel comfortable. You gotta find both at the same time. If you look good but don’t feel comfortable you’re not gonna feel good. But don’t wear white socks anywhere.

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