The future of basketball strolled into Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday night decked out in suits by Armani, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, among others. The towering, baby-faced athletes were dressed in their best for the night of their lives: the N.B.A. draft.<\/p>\n
Their arrival at the draft was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. On draft night the young men could finally show up as who they have always aspired to be. While a handful of players hired stylists to dress them, the majority chose their own outfits, from their jewels to their nail polish, trying to showcase their personalities.<\/p>\n
The N.B.A. draft is historically a night of surprises, from the teams\u2019 choices and sudden trades to the players\u2019 unconventional outfits. It is a night of suits, watches, jewels, discreet messages sewn into the jacket linings and sequins. This is the rookie\u2019s chance to make a statement before they hit the N.B.A. hardwood for the very first time.<\/p>\n
Zaccharie Risacher<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 1 by the Atlanta Hawks<\/p>\n
Mr. Risacher, 19, wore a light gray Armani seersucker suit with a white shirt and white Nike Air Force Ones. His prerogative for the night? Comfort.<\/p>\n
\u201cI chose all the pieces of the outfit and it was a fun thing to do,\u201d said Mr. Risacher, who is from Lyon, France. \u201cIt was the first piece of the process of the N.B.A. draft night. I feel ready to get drafted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alex Sarr<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 2 by the Washington Wizards<\/p>\n
Mr. Sarr, 19, arrived in a cream double-breasted Versace suit with gems for buttons and a matching shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s classy and I think I\u2019m a classy guy\u201d he said before his trip down the red carpet. \u201cIt fits my energy for the night. I don\u2019t really know what type of energy cream has, but it\u2019s my energy, I guess. I can\u2019t wait to see where I end up. It\u2019s the N.B.A. draft, it\u2019s major.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reed Sheppard<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 3 by the Houston Rockets<\/p>\n
Another player keen on simplicity was Mr. Sheppard, 20, who wore a sage green suit from State & Liberty paired with a Gucci tie and brown Christian Louboutin shoes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis suit speaks to me,\u201d Mr. Sheppard said. \u201cIt\u2019s just simple. It\u2019s clean. Nothing fancy about it. It\u2019s just a nice, simple and clean suit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stephon Castle<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 4 by the San Antonio Spurs<\/p>\n
Mr. Castle, 19, made his last name come to life with a brilliant diamond chain and pendant in the shape of a castle. He wore a black double-breasted suit with a white speckled effect, which he said was created by his friend Julian.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt definitely gives you a lot of confidence,\u201d Mr. Castle said. \u201cIf you walk around with a good fit on then you have a little confidence. This is helping me out a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rob Dillingham<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 8 by the San Antonio Spurs (traded to Minnesota)<\/p>\n
Mr. Dillingham, 19, wore a bedazzled black suit by Seventh Heaven and Chrome Heart Converse sneakers and glasses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the start of my dreams,\u201d Mr. Dillingham said. \u201cI was not even thinking about the draft today, then when it was time I got ready. I don\u2019t think about the game, I just go into the game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ron Holland<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 5 by the Detroit Pistons<\/p>\n
Mr. Holland, 18, asked his sister, Taorani, for help, and she did \u201ca lot of the decision making.\u201d He arrived wearing a black Versace suit with sequins on the shoulder. He appeared to be dipped in diamonds. He wore a necklace with a large medallion in the shape of an atom that held special meaning for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an energy piece,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a once in a lifetime opportunity so I got to step up. It defines energy. Without the middle piece of this, the nucleus, none of this is working properly. I feel like that\u2019s definitely me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carlton Carrington<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 14 by the Portland Trail Blazers (traded to Washington)<\/p>\n
Mr. Carrington, 18, who is known by many as Bub, wore an all-black Dior suit and shirt. On the lapel of the suit he attached a pin of a green ribbon to raise awareness for mental illness.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t do anything if your mind is not right so that is one thing we should always focus on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cStay focused on what\u2019s going on today is definitely 50 percent of the reason I kept it simple,\u201d he added. \u201cThe other reason is, is I feel like what you wear on draft day is kind of a representation of yourself. I\u2019m a pretty simple guy, so I just want to wear a simple black suit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kyle Filipowski<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 32 by the Utah Jazz<\/p>\n
Mr. Filipowski, 20, had photos of himself in his Duke University jersey in the lining of his forest green suit, which was made by Nota Bene.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey helped make my vision come true,\u201d Mr. Filipowski said. \u201cBeing a little bit more classy but not too basic and not too flashy as well. It\u2019s just very me. I\u2019ve never really expressed myself much with fashion before. This is kind of one of the first times and, and I actually do love it. I feel super comfortable. I don\u2019t feel weird at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Devin Carter<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 13 by the Sacramento Kings<\/p>\n
Mr. Carter, 22, wanted to stay true to where he is from: West Palm Beach, Fla. To that end, he wore a baby blue double-breasted suit without a shirt. He accessorized with a pair of custom Cartier Chrome Hearts sunglasses and brown shoes. The look was put together by his stylist, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis represents me,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m a Florida boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kyshawn George<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 24 by the New York Knicks (traded to Washington)<\/p>\n
Mr. George, 20, chose the fabrics that were used for his suit designed by Alba. He wore a light beige jacket open with matching boot-cut pants and an untucked cotton candy colored shirt. Over the collar, a necklace of opals, that matched the diverse colors on his shirt, danced. On his feet he wore Louis Vuitton sneakers. He wanted to keep it light, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI chose the fabrics,\u201d he said. \u201cI just felt good with it. I liked the light textures, and I feel comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Donovan Clingan<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 7 by the Portland Trail Blazers <\/p>\n
Mr. Clingan, 20, had the inside of his suit jacket decorated with family photos.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust wanted to have pictures of people that have helped me get to this point, people who have guided me, on the inside of my jacket,\u201d he told reporters on the red carpet.<\/p>\n
Matas Buzelis<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 11 by the Chicago Bulls<\/p>\n
Mr. Buzelis, 19, said his mother picked out his Yves Saint Laurent pinstripe suit.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m feeling like a regular person,\u201d he said. \u201cEven though I am in YSL, this is normal for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tidjane Salaun<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 6 by the Charlotte Hornets<\/p>\n
For Mr. Salaun, 18, the experience has been anything but regular. It was his first time in New York City and he felt small amid the skyscrapers, he said. The Parisian wore a navy blue pinstripe suit, a black tie and a white shirt, a look he called \u201cbusiness class.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited to hear my name and enjoy the moment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Tristan da Silva<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 18 by the Orlando Magic<\/p>\n
For Mr. da Silva, 23, who wore a red and black Alba suit to represent the German flag, it was all about the suit lining. The sky blue and white Bavarian flag lined the right side of his jacket while the kelly green and yellow of the Brazilian flag lined the left side of his jacket.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel it\u2019s important to know where you come from and represent that, I wouldn\u2019t be here without it,\u201d he said. \u201cI think it\u2019s important to let people know because I might not be the most vocal person about it. I\u2019m trying to stay humble, so I don\u2019t go out there and tell everybody how great I am, but I feel like I could put it on. Let the suit talk for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cody Williams<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 10 by the Utah Jazz<\/p>\n
Mr. Williams, 19, wore a mahogany colored suit, glasses and shoes, all from Rhude.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook good, feel good, draft good,\u201d he said while buffing his freshly manicured nails on his jacket. \u201cGot to make sure everything\u2019s in tip top shape. I don\u2019t really get many mani pedis, actually. It\u2019s a first for me. They got the clear gel here to make it look natural. They did their thing. I might get another one after this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnny Furphy<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 35 by the San Antonio Spurs (traded to Indiana)<\/p>\n
Mr. Furphy, 19, wanted to pay homage to his roots in the lining of his navy blue tuxedo. He did so by listing every Australian that has played in the N.B.A., including himself, though he had to wait a day to be selected as he was taken with the fifth pick of the second round.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralians take a lot of pride in Australian basketball,\u201d he said. \u201cObviously there\u2019s not many Australians. It\u2019s pretty cool to be kind of recognized and appreciate that I\u2019m a part of a small group.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ja\u2019Kobe Walter<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 19 by the Toronto Raptors<\/p>\n
Mr. Walker, 19, wanted to send a message with his deep purple suit jacket.<\/p>\n
\u201cRoyalty,\u201d he said, with his hair covering his eyes.<\/p>\n
He paired the jacket with a black shirt and black pants and black Prada shoes and glasses.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels insane to be here, I\u2019ve been dreaming about this moment all my life,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is what I looked like in my dreams, fresh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nikola Topi\u0107<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 12 by the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/p>\n
The focus of many of the athletes is to stand out. Mr. Topi\u0107, 18, did so in a burgundy Hugo Boss suit, white Golden Goose sneakers and an Audemars Piguet watch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m an easy person and Hugo Boss is the first suit I picked out,\u201d he said. \u201cI want it to stand out some way. Not to be black or blue, I wanted some color too. This didn\u2019t stand out too much.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jared McCain<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 16 by the Philadelphia 76ers<\/p>\n
Mr. McCain, 20, wore a double-breasted cropped Dolce & Gabbana suit with a brilliant brooch on the lapel. His nails were painted a glossy black.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to do the nail polish, I went with a simple vibe,\u201d he said. \u201cI wish I could put the team I\u2019m going to, but I have no clue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dalton Knecht<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 17 by the Los Angeles Lakers<\/p>\n
Mr. Knecht, 23, wanted to keep the lining of his all-black Gucci suit a surprise until he was called up to the stage. This reporter managed to get a sneak peek before he flashed it on ESPN: it was his Tennessee Volunteers jersey.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a once in a lifetime type of opportunity,\u201d he said before putting on Louis Vuitton shades. \u201cI\u2019ll come all black just to keep it simple and just a couple of pieces to stand out a little bit. I\u2019m going to do my own fashion. I would take some pieces here and there. But I like to keep it about myself. By Dalton.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yves Missi<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 21 by the New Orleans Pelicans<\/p>\n
Mr. Missi, 20, felt a bit uncomfortable when he was described as the king of Cameroon by his friends. The lining of his cerulean blue suit jacket, designed by Alba, encouraged the moniker. The outline of Cameroon was etched on the buttons of the suit and used in a pattern in the lining of the jacket. A lion patch was placed in the jacket as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lion is the animal of Cameroon,\u201d he said. \u201cI really love the way I look right now. The color of the suit and everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Isaiah Collier<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 29 by the Utah Jazz<\/p>\n
Mr. Collier, 19, kept it simple. He wore an all-black Dolce & Gabbana suit with a single silk lapel and a dazzling brooch. His chain paid homage to his brother, who passed away.<\/p>\n
\u201cReady to rock \u2018n\u2019 roll, that\u2019s what I feel like,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kel\u2019el Ware<\/p>\n
Drafted No. 15 by the Miami Heat<\/p>\n
Mr. Ware, 20, wore an all-black Alba suit with black Gucci loafers. He paired the look with a Rolex watch and an icy pinkie ring.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook nice, feel nice, especially for a big night,\u201d he said. \u201cWell, I\u2019m more of a calm, laidback guy. I did not want to go all out and do too much. I stayed original with it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The future of basketball strolled into Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday night decked out in suits by…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23895,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[7,7975,7974,357,6,12,7976],"class_list":{"0":"post-23894","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba-draft","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-draft-and-recruitment-sports","10":"tag-fashion-and-apparel","11":"tag-national-basketball-assn","12":"tag-nba","13":"tag-nba-draft","14":"tag-vis-photo"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/114485243786753086","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23894","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23894"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23894\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23895"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23894"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23894"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23894"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}