Fashion is a huge part of the NBA, and many people love to see the expensive clothes, accessories, and jewelry that NBA superstars rock up with to their games or when sitting courtside. It’s part of the lifestyle and culture, and many NBA players have taken this one step further and turned fashion into an additional business venture.
If you want to check out a BetUS review or get some tips on NBA picks and upcoming matches, fashion may not help, but let’s put the betting aside for a moment and have a little fashion fun. Below, I look at six NBA players – past and present – who built successful fashion lines.
1. Michael Jordan – Air Jordan
Michael Jordan was always a trendsetter and that holds true for fashion too.
Before Air Jordan, NBA superstars typically teamed up with basketball sneaker manufacturers and gave their name to a generic shoe line. The Air Jordans changed all that and it was the first signature sneaker that was actually named after the NBA player.
The Air Jordan brand is still ridiculously popular today and is one of the reasons why Jordan continues to enjoy such huge wealth. The brand has expanded far beyond sneakers, though, and there is an entire line of Air Jordan clothing and apparel.
2. Russell Westbrook – Honor the Gift
I can’t say that I’m a fan of some of Westbrook’s fashion choices, and his press conference outfits have produced some amazing memes.
Nonetheless, the former NBA MVP is known to be something of a fashion prodigy and this is just one of the many business ventures Westbrook has dived into.
Westbrook has his own fashion brand, Honor the Gift, which releases regular collections for adults and kids. The style is subtle and on-trend and is incredibly popular with fashionistas and basketball fans alike.
3. LeBron James – Nike
Of course LeBron James has his own fashion line!
James is known for his incredible body and the way he keeps in shape, even at the age of 39.
Many people rate him as the greatest basketball player of all time. Due to his fame, popularity, and on-court skills, LeBron has a signature lineup of clothing and basketball shoes with Nike.
His trainers have become the stuff of legend and although they don’t rival Air Jordans, their quality, innovation and style are fantastic.
Not only that, but James has previously designed sneakers and worked with notable fashion designers on other projects.
4. Lonzo Ball – Big Baller Brand
The whole Ball family, including patriarch LaVar and NBA stars Lonzo and LaMelo, have been involved in their Big Baller Brand.
This company has an entire fashion range, including men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing. Both Ball brothers have been linked with the brand and have promoted it in the past, and indeed, they had their own signature sneaker line too, although this didn’t do as well as hoped.
The BBB line is particularly successful and it’s easily the best example of NBA stars choosing to do fashion on their own terms instead of partnering with an established company.
The fashion centers mainly on basketball and street clothes but they also have an amazing range of casual attire that anyone could pull off.
5. Dwayne Wade
Now that Dwayne Wade has retired, he often rocks up to Miami Heat games looking incredible.
Throughout his career, he was known as a snappy dresser who pushed the boundaries of fashion.
Indeed, he has collaborated with various fashion houses and designers in the past, and one of his more unique ventures was a tie collection, where he collaborated with The Tie Bar, which is based in Chicago.
6. Stephen Curry – Under Armour, Express
Most people will know Stephen Curry as being the best shooter in NBA history and the leading man of the Golden State Warriors. However, many people don’t know that Curry is also the face of Under Armour and has worked with them for years.
Aside from being a brand ambassador for sports brands, the Baby-Faced Assassin also teamed up with Express and created a fashion line that offered complete casual ensembles, including accessories, pants, fitted button-down shirts, and T-shirts.
These NBA players have fashion skills as well as on-court skills
Fashion and the NBA are forever linked and it’s one of the reasons we love to watch our favorite players.
I love watching NBA stars enter the arena before a game to see what style they are rocking, and it’s a testament to the players and their fashion sense that is displayed through the fashion lines and clothing partnerships I’ve mentioned above.
While basketball sneakers certainly play a major role and are what most NBA players may concentrate on, many also want their own fashion line, and players like Russell Westbrook have proved to be incredibly successful at it.
