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.
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.
The N.B.A. draft is historically a night of surprises, from the team’s choices and sudden trades to the players’ unconventional outfits. It is a night of suits, watches, jewels, discreet messages sewn into the jacket linings and sequins. This is the rookie’s chance to make a statement before they hit the N.B.A. hardwood for the very first time.
Zaccharie Risacher
Drafted No. 1 by the Atlanta Hawks
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.
“I chose all the pieces of the outfit and it was a fun thing to do,” said Mr. Risacher, who is from Lyon, France. “It was the first piece of the process of the N.B.A. draft night. I feel ready to get drafted.”
Alex Sarr
Drafted No. 2 by the Washington Wizards
Mr. Sarr, 19, arrived in a cream double-breasted Versace suit with gems for buttons and a matching shirt.
“I think it’s classy and I think I’m a classy guy” he said before his trip down the red carpet. “It fits my energy for the night. I don’t really know what type of energy cream has, but it’s my energy, I guess. I can’t wait to see where I end up. It’s the N.B.A. draft, it’s major.”
Reed Sheppard
Drafted No. 3 by the Houston Rockets
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.
“This suit speaks to me,” Mr. Sheppard said. “It’s just simple. It’s clean. Nothing fancy about it. It’s just a nice, simple and clean suit.”
Stephon Castle
Drafted No. 4 by the San Antonio Spurs
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.
“It definitely gives you a lot of confidence,” Mr. Castle said. “If you walk around with a good fit on then you have a little confidence. This is helping me out a little bit.”
Rob Dillingham
Drafted No. 8 by the San Antonio Spurs (traded to Minnesota)
Mr. Dillingham, 19, wore a bedazzled black suit by Seventh Heaven and Chrome Heart Converse sneakers and glasses.
“This is the start of my dreams,” Mr. Dillingham said. “I was not even thinking about the draft today, then when it was time I got ready. I don’t think about the game, I just go into the game.”
Ron Holland
Drafted No. 5 by the Detroit Pistons
Mr. Holland, 18, asked his sister, Taorani, for help, and she did “a lot of the decision making.” 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.
“It’s an energy piece,” he said. “It’s 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’s definitely me.”
Carlton Carrington
Drafted No. 14 by the Portland Trail Blazers (traded to Washington)
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.
“You can’t do anything if your mind is not right so that is one thing we should always focus on,” he said.
“Stay focused on what’s going on today is definitely 50 percent of the reason I kept it simple,” he added. “The other reason is, is I feel like what you wear on draft day is kind of a representation of yourself. I’m a pretty simple guy, so I just want to wear a simple black suit.”
Kyle Filipowski
Drafted No. 32 by the Utah Jazz
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.
“They helped make my vision come true,” Mr. Filipowski said. “Being a little bit more classy but not too basic and not too flashy as well. It’s just very me. I’ve 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’t feel weird at all.”
Devin Carter
Drafted No. 13 by the Sacramento Kings
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.
“This represents me,” he said. “I’m a Florida boy.”
Kyshawn George
Drafted No. 24 by the New York Knicks (traded to Washington)
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.
“I chose the fabrics,” he said. “I just felt good with it. I liked the light textures, and I feel comfortable.”
Donovan Clingan
Drafted No. 7 by the Portland Trail Blazers
Mr. Clingan, 20, had the inside of his suit jacket decorated with family photos.
“Just 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,” he told reporters on the red carpet.
Matas Buzelis
Drafted No. 11 by the Chicago Bulls
Mr. Buzelis, 19, said his mother picked out his Yves Saint Laurent pinstripe suit.
“I’m feeling like a regular person,” he said. “Even though I am in YSL, this is normal for me.”
Tidjane Salaun
Drafted No. 6 by the Charlotte Hornets
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 “business class.”
“I’m excited to hear my name and enjoy the moment,” he said.
Tristan da Silva
Drafted No. 18 by the Orlando Magic
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.
“I feel it’s important to know where you come from and represent that, I wouldn’t be here without it,” he said. “I think it’s important to let people know because I might not be the most vocal person about it. I’m trying to stay humble, so I don’t 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.”
Cody Williams
Drafted No. 10 by the Utah Jazz
Mr. Williams, 19, wore a mahogany colored suit, glasses and shoes, all from Rhude.
“Look good, feel good, draft good,” he said while buffing his freshly manicured nails on his jacket. “Got to make sure everything’s in tip top shape. I don’t really get many mani pedis, actually. It’s 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.”
Johnny Furphy
Drafted No. 35 by the San Antonio Spurs
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.
“Australians take a lot of pride in Australian basketball,” he said. “Obviously there’s not many Australians. It’s pretty cool to be kind of recognized and appreciate that I’m a part of a small group.”
Ja’Kobe Walter
Drafted No. 19 by the Toronto Raptors
Mr. Walker, 19, wanted to send a message with his deep purple suit jacket.
“Royalty,” he said, with his hair covering his eyes.
He paired the jacket with a black shirt and black pants and black Prada shoes and glasses.
“It feels insane to be here, I’ve been dreaming about this moment all my life,” he said. “This is what I looked like in my dreams, fresh.”
Nikola Topić
Drafted No. 12 by the Oklahoma City Thunder
The focus of many of the athletes is to stand out. Mr. Topić, 18, did so in a burgundy Hugo Boss suit, white Golden Goose sneakers and an Audemars Piguet watch.
“I’m an easy person and Hugo Boss is the first suit I picked out,” he said. “I want it to stand out some way. Not to be black or blue, I wanted some color too. This didn’t stand out too much.”
Jared McCain
Drafted No. 16 by the Philadelphia 76ers
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.
“I had to do the nail polish, I went with a simple vibe,” he said. “I wish I could put the team I’m going to, but I have no clue.”
Dalton Knecht
Drafted No. 17 by the Los Angeles Lakers
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.
“This is a once in a lifetime type of opportunity,” he said before putting on Louis Vuitton shades. “I’ll come all black just to keep it simple and just a couple of pieces to stand out a little bit. I’m going to do my own fashion. I would take some pieces here and there. But I like to keep it about myself. By Dalton.”
Yves Missi
Drafted No. 21 by the New Orleans Pelicans
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.
“The lion is the animal of Cameroon,” he said. “I really love the way I look right now. The color of the suit and everything.”
Isaiah Collier
Drafted No. 29 by the Utah Jazz
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.
“Ready to rock ‘n’ roll, that’s what I feel like,” he said.
Kel’el Ware
Drafted No. 15 by the Miami Heat
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.
“Look nice, feel nice, especially for a big night,” he said. “Well, I’m more of a calm, laidback guy. I did not want to go all out and do too much. I stayed original with it.”
