I’ve been watching sports drafts for decades, and always notice the strange trends that develop over time. These kids, young men from 18 to maybe 24 or 25, they all wear suits to these events. But in 2003, everyone wore baggy suits, then the suits got tighter and tighter, more colorful, velvet, ankles were showing, pants evolved, socks were abandoned, jewelry got bigger, and now I don’t even know where fashion is.
But I have hot takes about the drip! Always on the style, because some players have the swag to pull it off, and most don’t.
From the stories and photos these young men put inside of their jackets to the grills they wear on their teeth, let’s dive into the best and the worst of the 2026 NBA Draft looks with no criteria other than my own taste. And yes, as a heterosexual cisgender white man, I have no leg to stand on when it comes to judging others on how they dress, since I’ve been rocking a t-shirt with jeans since I was 12.
Number #1 Pick AJ Dybantsa (Washington Wizards)
I don’t know what to make of this. On the one hand, it’s a good color, very snazzy decorations, memorable jewelry, and it tells a story. On the other, he needs a tie, the suit itself is a little too robe/kimono for my liking, and I’m not sure he ironed his pants. You can see the creases. It bothers me.
Grade: B-
Number #2 Pick Darryn Peterson (Utah Jazz)
Classic and boring. I love it. Literally the safest thing you could ask for, which is ironic because he’s the most volatile and chaotic of all the picks taken.
Grade: B+
Number #3 Pick Cam Boozer (Memphis Grizzlies)
The exact polar opposite of the suit above. All white, fresh to death, but at least it fits him unlike his inspiration LeBron James. I’m down to clown with this one, including the off-white tie, which is more of an eggshell.
Grade: B
Number #5 Pick Keaton Wagler (LA Clippers)
What is this, salmon? Pink? Flesh? Paired with a light grey (love the fit), I just keep staring at his tie and pocket square. It looks like it fits well, and yet it gives off an energy of “I’m weak and can’t guard anybody.” I don’t know, man…
Grade: C+
Number #6 Pick Mikel Brown Jr. (Brooklyn Nets)
I’m very torn on this. The boldness of the colors, how they clash, speaks to his confidence and style. But the lapels being so big just takes away from what he was trying to accomplish. Although the pants are exceptional, I’ll give him that.
Grade: A-
Number #8 Pick Kingston Flemings (Atlanta Hawks)
Look of the night! Love this one, the suit is en fuego, the pinstripes are classy, the color is a favorite of mine, the entire thing is just peerless. And the little pin of his initials? The chefs kiss on top. Well done, sir.
Grade: A+
Number #10 Pick Brayden Burries (Milwaukee Bucks)
I am never a fan of having the same color tie as a shirt. Never. The bright red clashes, and Burries does not have the swag required to just brute force your way through this fashion faux pas. Only Steve Harvey can pull that off, and it still looks bad when HE does it!
Grade: D+
Number #11 Pick Yaxel Lendeborg (Golden State Warriors)
Love the sunglasses. Very Morpheus in “The Matrix.” Cream colored suit is fine, thin tie doesn’t have a clashing color, but it doesn’t do anything for me. Sort of boring, but also sort of says “I’m going to South Beach tonight.” Maybe he thought the Heat would take him?
Grade: B-
Number #16 Pick Bennett Stirtz (OKC Thunder)
What is it with these white suits? At least his tie isn’t thin and nothing like Yaxel’s. The lining on the inside is very slick though. But he could sell me insurance, that’s the kind of look this brings to the table.
Grade: B
Number #21 Pick Karim Lopez (Memphis Grizzlies)
When I saw him walk onto that stage, his height and trench coat looking outfit made me think of eastern European assassins trying to take out John Wick. But the inside of the suit has Mexican flags, tacos, and the phrase “100% Jesus.” So it’s both a horrible outfit and an excellent one?
Grade: Both an A+ and an F at the same time
Image credit: Logan Weaver
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