Washington G Markelle Fultz, who was picked No. 1 overall in Thursday's NBA Draft by the 76ers, made his introduction to the league a "groundbreaking moment in the history of footwear fashion," as he wore "shoes made out of basketballs," according to Matt Wyatt of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. The shoes "overshadowed a sleek gray jacket and pants ensemble, rounded out by an edible-looking bow tie." However, his set of sneakers "stole the show." Taking the shoe game to a "new level seemed to be the theme at this year's draft." Kentucky G De'Aaron Fox "rocked an eclectic JF J. Ferrar custom suit from JCPenney with a liner containing pink ribbons, a tribute to his mother who survived breast cancer." His shoes were "utterly dynamic, with a zany design that spelled out the word 'love' when standing together." Fellow Kentucky G Malik Monk "went with the metallic spike/medieval armor design on his shoes, a trend that was in vogue at the NFL Draft just two months prior" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/23). Fox noted JCPenney “partnered" with him and Monk “to design these suits." Fox: "I feel like I won ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Best Shoes.’” ESPN’s Allison Williams said, “He is a pro. He’s already getting props to his sponsors in. It’s like he’s done this before” (“NBA Draft,” ESPN, 6/22).
BOLD LOOK: The DALLAS MORNING NEWS noted N.C. State G Dennis Smith Jr.'s suit was one thing that "caught fans' attention." Smith "wore a black-and-white patterned suit, complete with a black bow tie and bold black buttons." A lot of people "were taken by the bold choice" (DALLASNEWS.com, 6/22). Meanwhile, in N.Y., Jon Caramanica writes French G Frank Ntilikina "looked genuinely comfortable and suave in his suit, a red checkered affair complemented with a spotted bow tie and a pink pocket square" (NYTIMES.com, 6/23). In Boston, Brad Almquist notes one thing that has "dramatically evolved about the draft ceremony is the outfits." A generation ago, players often wore "jackets as bulky as trench coats and slacks as loose as clown pants." It is "unclear when the shift from loose-fitting to form-fitting started, but several NBA designers say it coincided with social media’s emergence." Players became "exposed to new, eclectic styles and saw how people responded to them." Clothing trends "spread like wildfire once photo apps such as Instagram were popularized." NBA players nowadays dress "less like athletes and more like oversized runway models." As each year passes, draft suits "squeeze a bit tighter" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/23).
WHAT'S TRENDING: The TIMES' Caramanica notes this year might have broken the record for the "most bow ties worn by draftees." Duke F Jayson Tatum and Kansas F Josh Jackson "both wore droopy ones of the kind favored by Academy Award nominees in the late 1970s," while North Carolina F Justin Jackson "recalled Orville Redenbacher in a wide-striped bow tie and conservative gray suit." Fox "playfully fixed the bow tie" Fultz was wearing during a pre-Draft photo opportunity (NYTIMES.com, 6/23). ESPN's Scott Van Pelt said, "This was the year of the bow tie" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 6/22).
THE BEST OF THE REST: FOXSPORTS.com's Nunzio Ingrassia noted an "up-close look" at UCLA G Lonzo Ball's bow tie showed a Big Baller Brand logo, which was a "nice touch." Ball also wore BBB shoes after being drafted by the Lakers. Fox had "nothing but love for the entire draft experience" as he put the "message of 'love' prominently" on his dress shoes." Meanwhile, the lining of Fultz' jacket "displayed a tribute to all the people who helped him get to the NBA" (FOXSPORTS.com, 6/22).
