The 2019 NBA Draft may have set a new standard when it comes to the marriage between the event and the fashion statements made.
Although every year the NBA Draft is highlight by the wait to see where each draft prospect will be selected another interesting side note is what the players wear. Going back to the first televised event when Hakeem Olajuwon appeared wearing a tuxedo.
Each subsequent season the players made their statement and more often than not there were more misses than hits.
It may have been a decade since Hakeem’s fashionable tux, but Rose’s extremely long suit jacket wasn’t a one-off. Over the next decade, several other players also made the decision to wear an ill-fitting suit featuring super long suit jackets or baggy pants looking three sizes too large. In 2003, Chris Bosh’s suit begged the question if he shopped at the same store as Jalen Rose.
Fortunately, fashion began to improve as the years progressed. So much so, that the 2019 Draft night may well be remembered for the year fashion became an important part of the event.
The hits:
Prospect after prospect hit the stage showcasing their personal style and it almost reminded me of a Hollywood event.
Romeo Langford (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
2019 NBA Draft, Rui Hachimura (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
2019 NBA Draft, Sekou Doumbouya (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
2019 NBA Draft, PJ Washington (Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images)
2019 NBA Draft Cam Reddish c(Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images)
2019 NBA Draft, Coby White (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images)
The discussion as they hit the stage amongst the BBoyz and I was almost equally focused on their wardrobe as it was who went where. Again, it reminded me of watching an event like the Oscars where my friends and I would discuss the fashion on the red carpet.
Zion Williamson (Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images)
RJ Barrett (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
Romeo Langford (Photo by Michael J. LeBrecht II/NBAE via Getty Images)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
2019 NBA Draft Ja Morant. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Matisse Thybulle (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
The misses:
And, for as much as the prospects stepped up there were still some misses on the night. Jay Bilas might have had the line of the night when he said Tyler Herro’s suit reminded of The Sound of Music and the Von Trap family searching for their curtains. Likewise Darius Garland seemed to be summoning a Jedi Warrior from Star Wars and I’m not sure even where to start with Bol Bol’s spider web inspired outfit.
2019 NBA Draft, Tyler Herro (Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images)
2019 NBA Draft: Darius Garland (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
2019 NBA Draft: Basketball player Bol Bol (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Moving forward, let’s see if 2019 established the NBA Draft Night as the class who married fashion to the NBA and sets the standard to live up to.