Dennis Rodman, Allen Iverson and more: 5 NBA fashion icons
NBA players are some of the most influential people on the planet.
They are followed by millions of people around the globe, including, and most importantly, children. Their custom sneakers, flashy outfits, chains, gem-studded watches, fancy cars, and everything that displays luxury instantly become a "must-have" for fans.
NBA stars often shape how the world looks at fashion and streetwear. The sneaker explosion in the footwear industry is primarily due to basketball players.
An argument can be made that Nike is the behemoth it is today because it signed Michael Jordan all those years ago and everyone wanted his sneakers. NBA players even use their sneakers to share messages and spread awareness about issues.
The Inside The NBA crew celebrated their iconic show with some custom sneakers. 🔥
(📸: @NBAonTNT) https://t.co/kIfnC5cxbu
A huge part of basketball coverage, particularly in the NBA, focuses on the sneakers the players are wearing. Some of the best sneakers in the world are by NBA players such as Kobes/Mamba, Air Jordans, Air Freaks, LeBrons, Currys, and more.
Who are some of the NBA's top fashion icons?
As you can see, the NBA is a big segment of the fashion industry and the influence it has over the youth. Some of the best brand endorsements go to NBA players because of their global reach.
Although these players don't need a reason to wear unusual and fancy outfits, we saw some incredible costumes on Halloween. Players like PJ Tucker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander almost always seem to be covered in drip.
who did it best?
Pregame NBA fits for Halloween night 🎃 who did it best? https://t.co/mnkeFSR19c
On that note, let's look at some NBA fashion icons over the years.
Note: This list is not ranked.
#1 Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook is one of the premier fashion icons of today's generation. There is rarely a moment or game when he isn't covered in bling or fancy apparel. He often wears unusually shiny outfits which are sure to grab everyone's attention as he walks into the arena.
Russ offseason drip at the Met Gala. https://t.co/D9nmaz3bhi
In any event that Russell Westbrook attends, he makes a fashion statement. He was one of the most "dripped out" athletes at the NYC Met Gala over the last two years.
Westbrook certainly isn't afraid to pull off any outfit, be it a skirt and top hat, or denim overalls. He also has his own signature sneaker line called "Why Not?" or "Westbrook" under the Nike brand.
#2 James Harden
![Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden's various pre-game outfits [Image Source: Sports Illustrated]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/11/bab7b-16674674167530-1920.jpg)
James Harden is another fashion icon who isn't afraid to pull up in any outfit. He can wear an elegant Tom Ford suit one day and show up in a rain coat the next day.
Harden has given several interviews regarding his fashion sense and his outfits often steal the show. He was even on the cover of GQ Magazine alongside his friend and former teammate Russell Westbrook. When they were teammates playing for the Houston Rockets, there was a daily focus on their attires.
Westbrook and Harden for GQ is absolutely iconic.
Speechless. https://t.co/FnvtksZC7D
James Harden is one of the most confident dressers in the NBA and it is no surprise that plenty of fashion labels want to sign him as their brand ambassador. He also has his signature sneaker line under Adidas.
#3 Dennis Rodman
As daring as other fashion icons are, Dennis Rodman is on another level. The five-time NBA champion routinely wore the most absurd outfits and get-ups anyone had ever seen.
He wasn't just a style icon in sports but the entire world. Except his early days in the league, Rodman almost always had colored hair and would audaciously sport different colors every day. He would wear dresses, tube tops, wedding gowns, cowboy jackets, suits, and literally anything you can think about.
The guys looked good but no one will ever top the NBA's original king of fashion: Dennis Rodman! http://t.co/zfA9b6WFZV
His apparel often made more headlines than his conduct on the court and he proudly wore clothes that made people rub their eyes in disbelief. Rodman was unafraid of anyone judging him and his boldness and audacity resonates with people even today.
He is arguably the only Hall of Famer in NBA history whose outfits are shown more in the media than his career highlights.
the undefeated fashion icon of the 90s: dennis rodman. https://t.co/mkieZ5j2LA
#4 Kyle Kuzma
Kyle Kuzma's outfits are often a treat for fans. He has worn mind-boggling garbs and laughed along when others have taken jabs at his get ups.
His oversized pink sweater is a gag among NBA fans even today. In fact, popular sports account Statmuse jokingly changed their Kyle Kuzma avatar to one wearing the sweater instead of a jersey.
Additionally, Kuzma has also dabbled as a model. He was seen on the ramp at New York Fashion Week representing Puma earlier this year.
Kyle Kuzma on the runway at New York Fashion Week 🔥 (via herapatra/IG) https://t.co/5Uawl9duE5
He spoke about his confidence and described his New York Fashion Week outfit during Media Day a month ago, saying:
"This fit right here, this was an art piece. I was wearing two parkas, it was about 50 pounds. I had an armored vest, and I was real sassy. I mean when you're as confident as I am, I believe I can do anything, so if you believe you can do anything, you can probably wear what I wore."
#5 Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson might not have worn clothes as fancy as Harden or as daring as Rodman, but his sense of style broke barriers and inspired millions.
A generation of young athletes and children were influenced by his looks and how he wore whatever he wanted to. He sported chains, cornrows, headbands, baggy outfits and tattoos in an era when everyone else was dressed up in simple clothes.
The NBA took action against flamboyant clothing and implemented a strict dress code for players back in the 2000s. Iverson was one of the first to speak out against the league and demanded that he should be able to wear whatever he wants.
The Philadelphia 76ers legend spoke to Nice Kicks' Nick DePaula in 2017 about the situation, saying:
"I was bothered by it, because I felt like they were targeting people that dressed like me. … We been wanting to dress like how we want, but we just felt like we couldn't."
(2003) Allen Iverson’s Impact. https://t.co/vcb9gNdBsC
Allen Iverson is credited with bridging the gap between culture and sport. He is the reason tattoos are mainstream and that players can wear whatever they want in the NBA today.
Iverson also solved a major race issue that the league was dealing with wherein rich white people weren't willing to support black players who looked like "thugs." He changed that perception with his boldness and unwillingness to change his attire.
AI added about the same in the Nice Kicks interview:
"I felt like if more people saw me — this guy from Kellogg Business School, who was Valedictorian of his undergrad and a Vice President at Reebok, who was a family man that’s been married for 25 years — if they saw me with that hairstyle, then people couldn’t just say it was a thug thing.
"Here’s someone that’s clearly not a thug, that just is rocking the hairstyle."
Allen Iverson is considered one of the most influential players in NBA history due to his basketball skills and also his stubborn fashion sense.