NBA Draft: Best Outfits of All-Time
The NBA Draft brings together the world’s best basketball players – and the world’s best outfits.
Dressing to impress has become a tradition at the NBA Draft.
Every year, prospects try to one-up each other with their wild and sometimes ridiculous fashion statements. To be fashionable at the draft is a right of passage, like every NFL draft pick wearing a shiny watch with a massive face.
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Let’s take a look at some of the best, freshest looks from NBA drafts of years past.
Some people would say that Joakim Noah’s look at the 2007 NBA Draft is one of the worst. Those people would be very wrong. First of all, the draft takes place in late June so Noah is well within the fashion rule of wearing white after Memorial Day. Secondly, his bow tie perfectly matches the trim on his suit’s lapel. And lastly, his mane of flowing hair looks incredible under that Bulls hat.
After all, Noah’s mother was a famous fashion model. We’re pretty sure he knows what he’s doing.
The Fresh to Death award goes to Noah Vonleh, who was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in 2014. Not only does Noah’s suit match his new Hornets hat almost perfectly, but the white bow tie makes an impressive statement. The whole ensemble is perfectly put together.
At the 1996 NBA Draft, Samaki Walker rocked a suit and hat combo the likes of which the world had never seen before and hasn’t seen since. As with Noah, the white ensemble is completely acceptable, if not encouraged. The hat itself is a nod to the past, a forgotten time when men would wear hats at formal occasions. I’d say an NBA Draft fits that criteria.
So if you’re knocking this outfit by Samaki, I think you need a history appreciation class.
Adreian Payne took coordination to a new level in the 2014 NBA Draft. The former Michigan State Spartan wore a gray patterned jacket that made a statement on its own. But he elevated the look by incorporating the color of his fuchsia pants in to both his pocket square and his oversized bow tie. Impressive work by the new Atlanta Hawk.
Andrew Wiggins was drafted first-overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014, but his biggest accomplishment that night was changing the Draft fashion game forever. Along with an incredible black and silver jacket, Wiggins stepped up his look by wearing black loafers. Forget the constraint of socks and laces, these guys just want to be comfortable. Thanks to Wiggins, now they can.
Watch out, Russell Westbrook. It looks like some of these new players might be gunning for his title of Fashion King of the NBA.
If you want to see the crazy fashion statements that will be made this year, watch the 2015 NBA Draft on Thursday night.
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