Hardwood to Hard-Style: Basketball’s Best Dressed Players

If two things have always gone hand in hand, it's the sport of basketball and fashion. Besides being the obvious inspiration behind some of the world's most iconic sneaker silhouettes, such as the Air Jordan 1, the Converse All Star and the Nike Air Force 1, basketball has also changed the game when it comes to fashion and the way we look at styling.

As it stands, the NBA now exists as an outlet for fashion, with reselling platforms even becoming direct sponsors of athletes and stadium tunnels. More than ever, NBA players are now feeling like they have a point to prove in regard to their style off the court, leaving many to turn to stylists for help and inspiration. As a result, the sport of basketball now boasts some of the best-dressed players in the world, inspiring and influencing fans of the game.

Given the level of style in the sport, we thought we would break down just who we think are some of the most stylish and most consistently well-dressed men in the NBA. So if you're wondering if your favourite player made the list, we would advise you to keep reading below!

Naturally, with an NBA player's budget, you're going to be able to afford some pretty nice things, and that can certainly be said about Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. When not making those crucial scoring opportunities on the court, Shai chooses to flex his personal style with an array of luxury fashion pieces.

When you take one look at Shai's Instagram, you'll see the player posed in numerous and often extravagant outfits, with brands such as Louis Vuitton, Celine and Yeezy x GAP all on display.

In the above outfit, Shai chooses to don an array of earthy and brown tones together to create a look idea for an autumnal or winter setting. On the upper layers, he dons a relaxed and loose-fitting hoodie alongside a cropped gilet, offering a multifaceted approach to layering. In addition, his white T-Shirt can be seen on at the hem, offering a colour break between his next layer.

On the lower portion of the outfit, he wears patchwork-styled flared jeans alongside what looks to be a pair of the highly sought-after Travis Scott x Jordan 1 High "Mocha."

One of fashion's biggest misconceptions is you have to be uncomfortable to be stylish, but if anything Australian point guard Ben Simmons proves that this isn't the case. When he's not shooting hoops for the Brooklyn Nets, Ben Simmons can be found dressing in an array of flashy outfits, most of which lean towards the more cosy side of the spectrum.

Throughout Simmons' looks, you'll often see him pairing comfortable and essential layers such as hoodies and sweatpants alongside statement jackets and accessories, creating relaxed fits with convenience and style intertwined.

In the above fit, Simmons opts for a mainly neutral colour fit complete with pops of loud colour. On the upper portion, he dons a classic grey marl hoodie, layered by a green and black check pattern overshirt, creating a layered look ideal for cooler months.

On the lower portion of the outfit, he wears a pair of black jeans complete with distressed details around the knee and silver zip pockets. On the feet, he wears a pair of Off-White x Nike Zoom Terra Kiger 5 "White" complete with green details, pairing with the verdant hue of the jacket perfectly.

While most NBA players will choose to flaunt logo-ladened pieces from the top high fashion houses, Devin Booker likes to keep things a tad more simple. While Devin might be known for his numerous accolades and Olympic gold medal-earning skills on the court, you could say he's a little more subtle on the sidelines.

Judging by the man's Instagram, Booker tends to lean more towards the subdued and minimalistic way of styling, with little logos and eccentric prints on display. Instead, he usually chooses to don solid-coloured pieces, often in earthy and drab hues.

Take the above fit, for instance. Devin decides to pair classic styling elements together to create the perfect autumnal look. On the upper, he dons a navy and brown check overshirt, which is then lined by a grey hoodie underneath with tied drawstrings.

On the lower portion of the look, he wears a light-washed pair of jeans complete with a relaxed fit. Finally, on the feet, he wears some serious heat in the form of the Tom Sachs x NikeCraft Mars Yard 2.0.

As well all know, it can take a fair share of confidence to rock an array of eccentric pieces all in one go, but if anyone can do it, it's P.J. Tucker. Tucker, who currently plays power forward and centre for the Philadelphia 76ers, has made quite the name for himself off the court for his show-stopping and unique style.

Evidently, P.J. isn't exactly one to shy away from colour, and his numerous pre-match fits are more than proof of that. It seems the man doesn't have a favourite colour palette, and instead, he decides to rock just about anything he feels like in his own bold fashion.

In the above fit, he dons an array of pieces that work together harmoniously to produce a springtime look. From the top, he wears a pastel blue beanie alongside an open collar shirt complete with white, beige, green and matching light-blue hues. Around the neck, he dons an array of iced-out bling.

For the lower portion of the outfit, he keeps things simple with a pair of baggy off-white coloured pants, making way to his pair of Nike SB Dunk Low "Mummy" on the feet.

Our fifth and final addition to the list comes courtesy of Utah Jazz point guard Jordan Clarkson. While eccentric fits seem to be a running theme in both this article and the NBA in general, Jordan Clarkson has managed to put his own personal spin on things.

With his fits often oversized, baggy and relaxed in nature, Clarkson keeps things fresh with a diverse array of pieces. In the above fit, he wears a diverse layered fit, with a more than meets the eye approach to detailing. Starting from the top, we see a classic trucker beanie perched atop his weaved braids. On the torso, he dons a relaxed white t-shirt complete with a large print on the front, alongside a dark denim jacket with contrasting button details.

On the legs, he wears a pair of relaxed Fear of God ESSENTIALS trousers, complete with their signature extended drawcords. Finally, to complete the look, he injects a pop of colour courtesy of his Louis Vuitton LV Monogram Denim sneakers.

For more similar to this, check out - Balling On and Off the Pitch: Football's Best Dressed Men.