Morant was introduced to Grizzlies fans in his periwinkle pinstriped suit after being selected second overallNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The NBA Draft on Thursday "made for a banner year when it came to fashion statements," highlighted by Zion Williamson's ivory-colored suit that "kicked the show off" when the Pelicans selected him No. 1 overall, according to Matt Wyatt of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Williamson was the consensus top pick, but what was "astounding was his sharp sense of style." Grizzlies draftee Ja Morant -- selected second overall -- "followed up looking regal in a periwinkle pinstriped jacket" (CHRON.com, 6/21). FOOTWEAR NEWS' Ella Chochrek noted Williamson's "cream-colored shawl-collared tuxedo" with a matching button-down shirt underneath was "made for him by British designer Adrien Sauvage." The ensemble "came complete with a glistening gold watch" (FOOTWEARNEWS.com, 6/20). ESPN.com's Tim Bontemps notes Knicks draftee R.J. Barrett was "resplendent in a pink suit and black shirt" (ESPN.com, 6/20). Chicago-based WBBM-AM's Jacquie Cadorette writes Williamson "stood out among the NBA hopefuls in all white." It was a look "reminiscent of LeBron James, who had the same look at the 2003 draft" (WBBM780.RADIO.com, 6/21). CBS' Tony Dokoupil: "The tuxedo look with the no tie -- beautiful" ("CBS This Morning," 6/21). In Chicago, Phil Rosenthal writes the "number of bespoke suits among the draft picks was something to behold." Rosenthal: "Forget shoe deals. These guys need their own designer labels" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/21).
PENNEY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS: In L.A., Adam Tschorn writes JCPenney "impressively leveraged" the high-profile platform by outfitting several top picks via its JF J. Ferrar label. Bulls pick Coby White opted for a "dialed-down navy blue suit and navy tweed loafers that simply allowed the small, powerful details to be noticed." Meanwhile, the Hawks' De'Andre Hunter "paid homage" to his hometown area code via a JCPenney suit "lined with an all-over print of Philadelphia's 215" (LATIMES.com, 6/21). The CHRONICLE's Wyatt writes Hawks draftee Cam Reddish came to the event "dressed like a dang winner," and JCPenney "might want to use this opportunity to rebrand because the product dripped sauce." Black and gold were "fused together to create a showstopper you had to see to understand." The jacket liner "was also customized" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/21).
FLOWER POWER: In Lexington, Josh Moore noted "wild fashion choices were on full display" during the lead-up to the Draft. Former Kentucky players Tyler Herro (Heat), Keldon Johnson (Spurs) and P.J. Washington (Hornets) all "showed up in suits that stirred conversation on social media." Herro and Washington "went with full-floral designs while Johnson went with a blue-and-white patterned jacket with white pants, along with a black bow tie" (KENTUCKY.com, 6/20). THE RINGER's Paolo Uggetti noted there were seven draftee outfits "with some kind of print, floral or otherwise, on the jacket" (THERINGER.com, 6/20).
HONING HIS SPIDEY SENSE: In Las Vegas, Dennis Rudner wrote Heat draftee Bol Bol (who was traded to the Nuggets) "looked like he was ready to go trick-or-treating," dressed in an "all black suit with a giant spiderweb covering his torso and another smaller web along his right leg." Twitter "had fun" with the ensemble, with some users saying he was "dressed like a super villain." Another tweet "channeled Will Ferrell’s character in the movie 'Zoolander'" (REVIEWJOURNAL.com, 6/20).
