Several NBA players have fashioned their personal brands into roles as leading style influencers and sartorial All-Star players. Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and James Harden, just to name a few. We’re curious, though, about the next generation of NBA fashion mavens and style role models. Are they keeping up with the legends? Heading into All-Star Weekend, who are the best-dressed NBA players right now? We’re sharing 19 picks for NBA MVP of style: the best dressed and most stylish luxury fashion influencers among current NBA players, including LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul.
Old School NBA style was . . . not particularly stylish
Not so long ago if you searched for “NBA style”, endless images of shiny suits, brazen pinstripes and mile-wide paisley ties would stream forth.
Many superstar players leaned into their soaring proportions with off-court style reminiscent of night club mobsters. Or they simply stuck to athletic wear that didn’t move the sartorial needle one way or another. Sure, there were individuals like Dennis Rodman coming out swinging with their pregame fashion, but in the old days, style was largely pushed to the sidelines.
Today’s NBA players are style and fashion influencers
All of that has changed in the past decade. Pro basketball and luxury fashion have been having an ongoing and mutually-beneficial love affair for a long time now. Who could forget the LV x NBA collaboration in 2021?
the talk of the tunnel
The NBA tunnel from an arena’s entrance to the locker room has become a veritable catwalk for players to show off their biggest fits, minting an entirely new generation of hypebeasts. In a flurry of paparazzi flashes, Goyard belt bags and Bode chore coats, basketball’s best players are also becoming style’s biggest stars.
A previous generation’s point guards might have suited up in Armani for a pre-game arrival, stiff and out of their element. In the last few years, though, these guys have become deeply interested in their personal style. Dripping in up-and-coming designers and putting together wholly unique looks for every tunnel walk.
turning point with thom brown
The tide was already shifting in 2018 when, during the playoffs, King LeBron James and his Cleveland Cavaliers teammates swaggered through the tunnel in shrunken Thom Browne suits – many of the shorts variety and paired with Nike Dunks. That viral moment turned out to be an inflection point. And fashion-savvy fans’ eyes have been glued to the tunnel, the hotel exit, and the bus arrival—ever since.
social media style mavens
Some of the NBA’s top players work closely with stylists to put together looks that will inevitably get photographed and shared on social media. Instagram accounts like @NBAFashionFits chronicle players’ entrances and fashion swerves with hundreds of thousands of followers. Snaps of an outfit pepper players’ own Instagram pages in between on-court action shots. And luxury designers noticed, sending clothes and inviting ballers to their shows in hopes of being associated with these new towering beacons of style.
The best dressed, most stylish NBA Players right now
As we head into All-Star Weekend, we’re shouting out the most stylish players in the NBA (in no particular order). It wasn’t easy to whittle the list down as everyone in the league has leveled up their game. But just like on the court, there are some true legends in the making who are playing at their peaks.
1. LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
The King in so many ways, LeBron has been nailing fits for nearly 20 years in the game, championing razor-sharp tailoring and always-fresh kicks.
Best dressed and most stylish luxury fashion influencers among NBA players, like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul.
2. Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors)
The star point guard tends to keep his looks more streamlined than some of his fellow pro-ballers, but knows when to make a statement: during last year’s NBA finals, he used the tunnel walk to showcase independent Black designers.
3. James Harden (Philadelphia 76ers)
One of the NBA’s best scorers and shooting guards, James Harden is also one of the league’s most maximalist when it comes to his style.
Best dressed and most stylish luxury fashion influencers among NBA players, like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul.
4. Serge Ibaka (Milwaukee Bucks)
There’s been some speculation about Ibaka’s spot on the Bucks this season, but his style doesn’t waver. You’ll catch him in bold colorful prints and archive grails.
5. Kyle Kuzma (Washington Wizards)
Kyle Kuzma and his wavy fits are as likely to be photographed at a Paris fashion show as they are in the NBA tunnel. He and his supermodel girlfriend, Winnie Harlow, exemplify the synergy of fashion and basketball.
6. Jordan Clarkson (Utah Jazz)
Never one to shy away from the avant-garde, skirt-lover Jordan Clarkson is one of the NBA’s buzziest fashion icons and a regular at fashion weeks.
7. Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns)
Chock full of laid back swag, Chris Paul also uses the tunnel as an opportunity to provide support: in 2020 he showcased Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with his clothes.
Best dressed and most stylish luxury fashion influencers among NBA players, like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul.
8. P.J. Tucker (Philadelphia 76ers)
P.J. Tucker is known as one of the NBA’s biggest sneakerheads (he reportedly has a collection of over 5,000 pairs), usually carrying an additional much-hyped pair that he’ll wear during the game.
9. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
GQ’s readership recently voted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the Most Stylish Man of the Year—not the most stylish NBA player or even athlete—Man. The point guard’s adventurous fits even beat out the Timothee Chalamets and Harry Styles of the world.
10. D’Angelo Russell (Los Angeles Lakers)
You never know what D’Angelo Russell will step out in, but you know it’s going to be fly. The Lakers point guard has stylish teammates to keep up with (see: LeBron), but he more than holds his own.
11. Russell Westbrook (Utah Jazz)
Westbrook was one of the first movers in the new wave of NBA and fashion crossovers, a fixture at Paris Men’s Fashion Week and chummy with designers like Kim Jones.
Best dressed and most stylish luxury fashion influencers among NBA players, like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul.
12. Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
Favoring $90 Chuck Taylors and streamlined workwear, the Suns’ shooting guard is one of the least flashy, but best-dressed pro-ballers.
13. Frank Jackson (Detroit Pistons)
Frank Jackson may be the most under-the-radar fit enthusiast in the NBA; he’s amassed his own fervent fan base following his deceptively simple style moves.
14. Kelly Oubre Jr. (Charlotte Hornets)
Oubre has that rare mix of innate taste and cultural awareness, pairing skate-wear with Rick Owens, Givenchy, Saint Laurent and many, many Chrome Hearts chains.
15. Jalen Green (Houston Rockets)
One of the NBA’s most promising young stars, Jalen already exudes a confidence and exuberance in his dressing, pulling off huge Louis Vuitton and Moschino fits.
Best dressed and most stylish luxury fashion influencers among NBA players, like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul.
16. Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
Last year Jayson Tatum showed up to the NBA finals in a patchwork Dolce & Gabbana blazer that left fans (and critics) divided, showing just how much attention people are paying to the Celtics forward.
17. Patty Mills (Brooklyn Nets)
Eschewing formulaic codes, the Australian sharpshooter opts for combat boots, oversized cardigans, wide puddling pants, leopard print and tie-dye for his pregame looks.
Best dressed and most stylish luxury fashion influencers among NBA players, like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul.
18. Juan Toscano-Anderson (Utah Jazz)
With breakout grittiness on the court (and a new spot on the Jazz), we’re watching Juan Toscano-Anderson absolutely blow up in the fashion world, too, getting more daring with each tunnel walk.
19. Ben Simmons (Brooklyn Nets)
Simmons has unfortunately been spending a lot of his time on the Nets’ bench with an uncertain future, but his style cred hasn’t suffered. He’s one of the elite, mastering the mix of athletic wear with luxury labels.
Best dressed and most stylish luxury fashion influencers among NBA players, like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul.
The Most Stylish NBA Players in the Game Right Now
Those are our nominations for MVP of the style game: the best dressed and most stylish luxury fashion influencers among the current field of NBA players, like LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul. Who’s on your list?
