The NBA Draft has long been a signature moment of the year in sports fashion, with two dozen players dressed for the occasion and already making a statement about their new career.
As former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden told a small media gathering earlier on Wednesday, “The work starts now. It’s not just about getting your name called in a rookie contract; it’s about your second contract and third contract. This is the time to work on yourself, work on your brand.”
Increasingly, athletes are turning to fashion to build the brand of themselves.
As curated by The Athletic’s Bre’ana Singleton and Hannah Vanbiber, these 10 players stood out for their looks, fits and overall aura:
Jeremiah Fears: MVP
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Jeremiah Fears brought the “No Fears” mantra to life on draft night in a bold, all-maroon Gucci suit. The textured logos brought just the right amount of depth and shine while his all-black sneakers, also Gucci, grounded the look with an understated edge. But what set Fears’ fit off were a pair of massive chains layered over his tie — one of his Sooners number “0” and one underneath it, spelling his last name. It’s a confident, cohesive fit — sharp and intentional with family photos lining his jacket. The Oklahoma star proved his game isn’t the only thing with flash. — Bre
Carter Bryant: First Runner-Up
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The Arizona Wildcats power forward created a deep-V moment in his double-breasted maroon suit, tuning to the suit-without-shirt trend popularized by stars like Timothée Chalamet (who debuted his at the 2022 Oscars). Bryant credits his “mom and sisters going crazy” for how the look came together, and fittingly, he has his family’s names stitched on the inside of the jacket. My favorite touch? The sleeves acted as a gilded mirror of his forearm tattoos, almost as if the ink was projecting through the fabric, transformed into embroidered gold: the word “ilaya” (which his mom has tweeted to him, too) and an embellished infinity symbol. This look, for me, is the word “drip” personified. — Hannah
Cooper Flagg: Most “BOSS”
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Here’s one way to describe Cooper Flagg’s night: With his selection at No. 1, the young forward became one of an elite group of just 79 people in history, a list that includes immortals like LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal. To match the occasion, Flagg flew in BOSS. The meticulously tailored three-piece suit by Hugo Boss is almost understated on the star’s 6-foot-9 frame, sharp, classy, calm, cool, collected. He paired it with velvet loafers from Christian Louboutin (a favored brand among this draft class) that retail for $945. Want to dress like Flagg? BOSS is selling the suit off the rack for $999. — Hannah
Ace Bailey (and family): Best Group Effort
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“Without family, I wouldn’t be in this position,” said Ace Bailey before he got dressed for the biggest night of his life — and he wasn’t kidding. His loved ones were right by his side on draft night, in matching Christian Louboutin red bottoms, so as not to be confused with the family of another rising star. A pair of black high-top lace-ups were the draft pick’s selection for the occasion. While Bailey isn’t exactly “the gem of the draft,” coming in as a lottery pick at No. 5 to the Utah Jazz, his suit certainly compensated with shine and shimmer. His bejeweled black suit honored his family with custom pictures on the jacket’s lining. A red shirt, lapels and cuffs paid homage to his Rutgers allegiance. With every step and sparkle, Bailey made it clear: one life and one franchise would be changed forever. — Bre
VJ Edgecombe: Most Deceptively Simple
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I guess when you’re as explosive an athlete as VJ Edgecombe, you don’t need bursts of color to make a fashion impact. The No. 3 draft pick’s striking black fit was interwoven with deeper nods to his home and family: Styled by his older brother, the all-black suit sported a subtle latticework pattern paired with YSL shoes, Prada glasses, silver and diamond jewelry and — best of all — the colors of the Bahamian flag flashing at his wrists. The all-business look opened up to reveal a collage of family photos sewn in the lining, a long-standing tradition in NBA Draft fashion. — Hannah
Dylan Harper: Glintiest (much like a Spur…)
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The No. 2 pick looked understated — until he walked into the light. The all-black jacquard suit shimmered under the bright spotlights of Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. His black Louboutin loafers were studded with silver spikes, completing a look as smooth as satin. The former Rutgers guard was a massive favorite to go second in the draft: Could his glinting black suit be a nod to the black and silver of the San Antonio Spurs, his new home team? Inside the bright red lining of his jacket (matching his red-bottom shoes!) was sewn the quote “Never too high, never too low,” a phrase he credits to his mom. — Hannah
Tre Johnson: Riskiest Move
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Suit shorts? Slouch socks? Why not? Business up top, party down low for Tre Johnson. The 19-year-old made one of the boldest fashion statements of the NBA Draft, mixing preppy with playful as he makes the jump to the big league. Johnson paired a navy double-breasted suit jacket with tailored shorts that fell below his knees with a casual flow before rounding it all out with slouch socks and Dr. Martens’ Adrian Bex loafers. The Texas Longhorns star ditched the “corporate climb” look for more of a “creative direction” feel. And it worked. — Bre
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Collin Murray-Boyles: Most Old-World Slick
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Pinstripes on pinstripes on pinstripes! The No. 9 pick from South Carolina recalled the suiting of the Jazz Age with his sharp-cut, blue pinstriped number, featuring pants cut narrow at the knee and slightly wider at the ankle, which gave him a dapper, lengthened look. His equally famous girlfriend, fellow Gamecock baller Chloe Kitts, watched alongside his family as Murray-Boyles went in the top 10 to the Toronto Raptors. —Hannah
Nique Clifford: Best Character Development
(Brad Penner / Imagn Images)
Nique Clifford brought color — and character — to the draft with a bold gradient jacket, fading from a deep violet to a softer pinkish hue. He paired the jacket with black pants and custom two-tone Air Force 1s, with a drip of their own. The Colorado State star fully leaned into the Gen Z draft night ethos with a nod to Clifford, the Big Red Dog, his namesake. The iconic animated pup was stitched inside Clifford’s jacket lining for some added internet flair. The look was playful, polished and hard to forget. — Bre
Asa Newell: Most Understated Luxury
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Asa Newell brought understated luxury to the red carpet on a night when plenty of players opted for bolder, more in-your-face styles. The Utah Jazz’s pick at No. 21 sported a blue double-breasted suit and accessorized his look with silver and diamonds. He topped off his look with a pair of Louis Vuitton Time Out sneakers originally designed by the late fashion icon Virgil Abloh. The sneakers Newell wore — currently sold out in the white colorway on Louis Vuitton’s site — normally go for $1,360. The creamy-white leather kicks, adorned with the brand’s signature monogram and a subtle pop of metallic, grounded his suit with quiet confidence — balancing street-smart swagger and designer polish. — Bre
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(Top photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
