NBA Draft Suits: Re-Drafting the Top Picks Based on Rookie Style

NEW YORK — There was much adjusting of bowties during the first-ever NBA draft red carpet, as the next generation of star hoopers flooded the suddenly glamorous Barclays Center lobby on Thursday. For most of the young players, it was their first red carpet and thus first time dressing for public consumption, and overall, they did an outstanding job.

Just about everyone sported well-fitting suits in festive colors accessorized with I’m-about-to-get-paid smiles—but some had a little more swag than others. Go-to NBA outfitters Jhoanna Alba, Clarence Jones and, yes, J.C. Penney had a presence on the carpet, but it was the wild cards that kept things interesting.

So who looked the best? Check out B/R’s re-draft of the top 20 by style talent to find out which rookie literally looked like a No. 1 pick. Only 14 made the cut, making this B/R's style talent lottery picks. 

14. John Collins

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The Louboutin high tops and checked suit are both OK individually, but together they are a little confusing. Taking risks is good, but risks don’t always pay off.

13. Lauri Markkanen

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The night’s only knit tie is an instructive addition. An underutilized red-carpet asset.

12. Josh Jackson

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A little color, straightforward fit—Jackson looks great, but it’s missing that attention-grabbing oomph. Yes, we see the blinding Rolex.

11. Zach Collins

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Leather tie + sunglasses + Las Vegas-themed shoes and jacket lining = valiant fashion risk that comes across as mid-aughts indie band member. But the creativity shows promise!

10. Bam Adebayo

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A classic, well-fitted three-piece look. Not going to set the roof on fire, but Adebayo looks quite dapper.

9. Markelle Fultz

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“Not impressed by the bowtie, but I do give him kudos for trying,” says NFL and NBA stylist Dex Robinson (Kam Chancellor, Kyle Lowry, DeMarcus Cousins) of Fultz’s eclectic outfit—the bowtie is of a wicker-esque material, and his shoes are literally made of basketball leather. “The color palette and fit of this look doesn't work for me."

But literal basketball shoes! Bonus points for effort.

8. Justin Patton

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Another suit by CJ, another example of fun colors in Patton’s two favorites—orange and navy blue. “Gotta look pretty,” says Patton, who styled himself. A Cartier watch rounds out the look.

7. Donovan Mitchell

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It’s a night to celebrate and have fun, and no player embodies that more than Mitchell—he integrated his school, Louisville, into his tie color, his shirt (which bore an embroidered logo) and his socks. Mitchell was dressed by CJ Custom Clothiers and says his grey pinstripe helps “bring out the inner baseball player.” The NBA is about personality, and Mitchell’s look shows that he has it in spades.

6. Dennis Smith Jr.

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"I wish I could redo prom, because this would be my jacket—I love it!” Robinson says. It’s all about Smith’s bold, textured, double-breasted(!) coat, designed by Jhoanna Alba. “It was just super comfortable and fit my personality,” Smith adds. Can’t argue with that—plus, he says he could even play in it.

5. Malik Monk

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Monk was also dressed by J.C. Penney, but in blue—”I didn't want to go all Kentucky blue, but I had to represent a little bit here,” Monk says. “I tried to be different.” Louboutins complete the look (though he admits, there’s no way he could hit the hardwood in them). “This is most definitely in my top five tonight,” Robinson adds. “Not a lot of noise, but you can still hear what he is trying to say style-wise.”

4. TJ Leaf

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TJ puts a colorful twist on a classic silhouette with his all-blue three-piece suit from Elevee. “It’s a little bold; I like it,” Leaf says. The perfect way for the UCLA player to step out of Lonzo’s shadow.

3. Frank Ntilikina

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Red tartan is not a look for the faint of heart, but the NBA’s latest French import pulls it off with style—custom-made, naturally, in his native Strasbourg. “We tried to get something where the color was right for me,” Ntilikina says. The bowtie is patterned too, because go big or go home.

2. De'Aaron Fox

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Dressed by J.C. Penney, Fox could have easily had a forgettable look. But the night’s only purple jacket and some flashy loafers keep him on the fashion forward side. "De’Aaron’s look is extremely balanced and well-executed,” Robinson says. “Kept it clean at top and added some excitement with the shoes!"

1. Lonzo Ball

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Yes, it’s a Big Baller Brand suit (spot the three Bs on the bowtie), and yes it’s all-black and shiny and three pieces on the first day of summer. But it fits like a glove, and Ball’s Versace loafers add the perfect amount of texture. “I keep it subtle, keep it simple,” Ball says. “My dad had no input—if he did, there would probably be Bs all over this, you know?”