The history of NBA Draft fashion is a rich and soulful tapestry of galaxy-brained ideas and frequently bricked outfits. It’s a big moment for a lot of these young players, crossing the stage as they become professionals and realize their hoop dreams. It’s something you dress up for. It just so happens that there have been a lot of regrettable decisions in the event’s past.
Over the last decade or so, style in the NBA Draft has evolved from the way-too-big suits of the early 2000s, the ones that you might remember from the LeBron James era. Tighter fits and bolder colours, patterns and textures have been the move of recent years.
At the end of the day, what you choose to wear is often just about not taking things too seriously and having some fun with it, and the NBA Draft has consistently been one of the best forums for that type of expression. So, in the interest of that sort of good-hearted fun, let’s look at some of history’s worst NBA Draft outfits.
LeBron James, 2003
This all-white number, right from the heyday of when big suits were popular, is going to go down in history just like LeBron will. Just consider that one of the best playing careers of all-time also began with one of the worst outfits of all-time.
Chris Bosh, 2003
Over the years, Chris Bosh has cemented his legacy as one of the best Toronto Raptors players ever, but on draft night, fans had good reason to wonder if the player that their team just drafted was in fact three kids stacked on top of each other inside a suit.
See also: Amar’e Stoudemire, 2002.
Samaki Walker, 1996
Before “Old Town Road,” there was Samaki Walker in the 1996 NBA draft class.
Trae Young, 2018
Suit shorts have definitely had their moment in the NBA spotlight, from LeBron James’ infamous fit to Trae Young upping the ante with a maroon set. Suit shorts pose the question, Is being different really always worth it?
Jalen Rose, 1994 / Tracy McGrady, 1997 / Tim Thomas, 1997
Meet your All-Pinstripes First Team. We’re honestly not sure who wins out here, between Rose going with the velvet red, McGrady’s buttoned-up all-black affair or Thomas with the double-breasted drapey fit.
Kevin Knox, 2018
Everyone wants to draft a “unicorn” in the NBA, which basically means a big man who can shoot, dribble and pass like a perimeter player such as Kristaps Porzingis or Karl-Anthony Towns. The real unicorn of the NBA Draft might just be dudes who wear regular suits
Kevin Knox came so close before busting his suit open to reveal the Fortnite lining inside.
Drew Gooden, 2002
Not a single suit button in sight. Just vibes.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, 2015
On draft night, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson paid homage to his roots by wearing pants made from the comfiest bedsheets he owned as a kid. We assume, at least.
