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.”