Here we are again. Basketball season is officially back. And if you're anything like me and don't understand football whatsoever, you've probably been patiently waiting for the NBA to return. Not just for the basketball, of course, but for everything that comes with it: the tunnel walks, the celebrity appearances, who is sitting courtside, and, most importantly, the fashion.

The NBA and fashion have always gone hand in hand, though their relationship hasn't always been harmonious. Allen Iverson is widely credited with helping merge hip-hop culture, fashion, and professional basketball in the late '90s and early 2000s. His unapologetic self-expression, from oversized clothing and extravagant jewelry to his signature cornrows, challenged the league's traditionally conservative expectations of how a professional athlete should present himself.

That very individuality would later become central to the controversy surrounding the NBA's 2005 dress code, introduced under then-commissioner David Stern. The league became one of the first major American professional sports organizations to implement such sweeping restrictions on what players could wear outside of competition. Players were expected to adhere to a "business casual" dress code when arriving at games, attending league events, or sitting courtside while not playing.

The restrictions prohibited sleeveless shirts, shorts, T-shirts, most jerseys, visible chains and medallions, durags, indoor sunglasses, headphones, and more. Essentially, much of the clothing that had become synonymous with hip-hop culture and the personal identities of players like Iverson was suddenly deemed inappropriate for professional basketball.

The controversy extended well beyond fashion. It raised questions about individuality, race, cultural expression, and who exactly gets to decide what professionalism looks like. It beats me if wearing 10 chains or not for a player's arrival has any to do with scoring 40+ points during the game.

Inevitably, players found ways to work around these restrictions, bending the rules and developing increasingly creative interpretations of what was considered appropriate attire. When Adam Silver succeeded Stern as commissioner in 2014, the league's relationship with fashion continued to evolve. Over time, the tunnel transformed from an ordinary arena entrance into something resembling a runway, where athletes could showcase their personalities, experiment with designers, and occasionally make a statement without saying a word.

One of my favorite examples came in 2019, when Anthony Davis arrived at what would become his final game with the New Orleans Pelicans wearing a T-shirt that read "That's All Folks!" beneath a tan blazer. Coming after his very public trade request, the shirt was widely interpreted as a not-so-subtle farewell to the organization. Davis later maintained that he hadn't personally selected it, but the moment was unforgettable nonetheless. Who needs a press release when you have a graphic tee?

In 2018, SLAM launched LeagueFits, an Instagram account dedicated to documenting the intersection of basketball and fashion. What began as a platform for sharing players' outfits developed into an influential part of basketball's growing fashion culture. Naturally, luxury brands began recognizing the marketing potential of dressing athletes before games, transforming pregame arrivals into opportunities for visibility far beyond the basketball audience.

To me, the evolution of NBA fashion is an ongoing reminder of the restrictions players once faced and the creative resistance that followed. The same forms of expression that were once criticized have become celebrated, photographed, and commercialized. There's something particularly interesting about that transformation: what was once considered unprofessional is now a valuable part of the league's cultural identity.

And perhaps that's the most compelling part of it all. Fashion in the NBA isn't simply about getting dressed. It's about identity, influence, and the freedom to challenge expectations that never made much sense in the first place.

An outfit can say a thousand words, and nowhere is that more apparent to me than in the NBA. Some people anticipate the actual basketball game. Others, myself included, are equally invested in the tunnel looks, the celebrities sitting courtside, and which wife, girlfriend, or husband has decided to make an appearance.

Pregame tunnel walks have become spectacles in their own right. There's growing anticipation surrounding which stylist will dress which player, what emerging designer might make an appearance, and which celebrity will be photographed in the front row. The fashion surrounding the game has developed its own audience, one that doesn't necessarily need to understand basketball to appreciate what's happening.

And while the players have long commanded attention, the women and men supporting them have become just as interesting to watch.

Take the New York Knicks, for example. Madison Square Garden has practically become a secondary venue for celebrity sightings, and last season's NBA Finals delivered no shortage of memorable courtside appearances.

Whether you're a self-proclaimed Swiftie or contrary to that, you can't deny the attention Taylor Swift generated when she arrived at a Knicks game alongside the Haim sisters in matching blue-and-orange graphic tees. Swift wore a "Stevie Knicks" shirt, while the sisters opted for equally ridiculous—and admittedly clever—"Knickelback" and "Knickole Kidman" designs.

Personally, I found something amusing about one of the world's biggest pop stars abandoning the usual luxury-heavy courtside uniform in favor of a homemade-looking T-shirt that could have been plucked straight from Brandy Melville. The shirts were actually screen-printed by Alana Haim, which makes the whole thing even better. Proof that you don't necessarily need a stylist, a five-figure outfit, or a designer sponsorship to become the most photographed person in the arena.

Following last season's playoffs and championship, I'm convinced that the standard for NBA fashion, both on and off the court, has only gotten higher. Players are becoming more adventurous, their partners are establishing increasingly recognizable personal styles, and the audience is paying attention.

So, in the spirit of good basketball and even better clothes, I've put together a few looks I'd love to see some of the NBA's most inconic couples wearing this season. Consider it a little courtside wishful thinking, with outfits that are sure to guarantee a win, on and off the court. 

Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade

It would feel almost criminal to kick off this list with anyone other than Gabrielle Union and her husband, Dwyane Wade. Long before the tunnel became the unofficial runway of professional basketball, Wade was already one of the league's most adventurous dressers, consistently pushing the boundaries of the NBA's 2005 dress code throughout the early 2010s.

And if the name Gabrielle Union only rings a bell because of her marriage to Wade, you must be living under a rock. The actress has an extensive film and television career, with memorable appearances in 10 Things I Hate About You, Bad Boys II, and, of course, Bring It On.

Offscreen, Union has developed an equally recognizable sense of style. She gravitates toward elegant silhouettes, sculptural tailoring, and pieces that balance simplicity with just enough drama to make you look twice. Her wardrobe is a lesson in the power of restraint, often proving that the most striking outfit in the room doesn't necessarily have to be the loudest.

Wade, on the other hand, has never seemed particularly interested in playing it safe. His approach to fashion is experimental and varied, moving effortlessly between oversized tailoring, unexpected proportions, bold colors, and statement accessories. Where Union often favors sophisticated minimalism, Wade embraces the opportunity to take a risk.

Together, their contrasting approaches to getting dressed make for a particularly compelling fashion partnership. They don't necessarily need to match to look coordinated, which, in my opinion, is precisely what makes their style work.

For their next courtside appearance, I envision the Wades Bringing It On in Enza Costa and Bottega Veneta.

Gabrielle Union-Wade - Shop Enza Costa

Dwyane Wade - Bottega Veneta

Winnie Harlow and Kyle Kuzma

Winnie Harlow could literally show up wearing a plastic bag and still manage to steal the show in any arena she steps foot in. The Canadian supermodel has become one of fashion's most recognizable faces, appearing on international magazine covers, walking runways for some of the world's most celebrated designers, and making history as the first model with vitiligo to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. As if that weren't enough, she's also the founder of skincare brand Cay Skin. At this point, what hasn't she done?

And then there's Kyle Kuzma, who has built quite the fashion reputation himself. The Milwaukee Bucks forward was once responsible for some of the NBA's most outrageous tunnel looks, most famously that enormous pink Raf Simons sweater that practically swallowed his entire body. More recently, Kuzma has traded his eccentric wardrobe for a considerably more restrained approach to getting dressed, favoring relaxed tailoring, thoughtful proportions, and understated luxury. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing the return of his more adventurous side.

Together, Winnie and Kyle have the kind of fashion credibility that makes even a casual appearance feel like an editorial opportunity. Between her supermodel instincts and his willingness to experiment, I find it hard to imagine either of them showing up anywhere looking anything less than the part. For their next appearance, I'd love to see the couple in Valentino and Aimé Leon Dore.

Coco Jones and Donovan Mitchell

Some couples simply look like they belong on a red carpet, and Coco Jones and Donovan Mitchell are certainly among them. Between her Grammy-winning music career, acting success, and his position as one of the Cleveland Cavaliers' biggest stars, the two have enough accomplishments between them to warrant a little extra attention. And after their wedding in August 2026, they have officially entered their newlywed era.

Coco has always had a particular talent for looking glamorous without appearing overly styled. Her wardrobe gravitates toward feminine silhouettes, figure-hugging gowns, and a kind of unapologetic glamour that feels reminiscent of the R&B divas of the late '90s and early 2000s. Donovan, meanwhile, tends to favor a more relaxed approach to fashion, incorporating contemporary streetwear, statement jackets, and sharp tailoring into his off-court wardrobe.

What makes the couple particularly interesting to me is how naturally their styles complement each other. Coco brings the glamour, Donovan brings the cool, and neither needs to compete for attention. For their next courtside appearance, I envision the newlyweds stepping out in Dries van Noten and

Dr. Ali Marks Brunson and Jalen Brunson

There is something particularly refreshing about a couple who seem entirely uninterested in making their relationship a public spectacle. Enter Dr. Ali Marks Brunson and her husband, New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson.

The two have been together since high school, long before Jalen became one of the most recognizable faces in New York basketball. And while her husband has spent his career making a name for himself on the court, Ali has been busy building a career of her own, earning her doctorate in physical therapy from Northwestern University. A doctor and an NBA star? Not a bad combination.

Unlike some of the NBA's more fashion-obsessed couples, the Brunsons seem to favor a more understated approach to getting dressed. Jalen's off-court wardrobe leans toward relaxed, sporty silhouettes and contemporary menswear, while Ali's appearances often feel polished without being overly extravagant.

And perhaps that's exactly why I'd love to see them have a little more fun with fashion this season. After all, Madison Square Garden is practically a runway these days, and being one of New York's most beloved basketball couples should come with a few sartorial privileges. For their next appearance at the Garden, I'd put the Brunsons in KHAITE and Helmut Lang.

Angel Reese and Wendell Carter Jr.

If there is one person who understands that basketball and fashion are no longer two separate industries, it's Angel Reese. The WNBA star has made it abundantly clear that she has no intention of being recognized solely for her athletic ability, and why should she? Between her modeling campaigns, magazine covers, and historic appearance on the Victoria's Secret runway in 2025, Reese has established herself as a fashion personality in her own right.

Her style is unapologetically feminine, glamorous, and occasionally extravagant, combining body-conscious silhouettes, dramatic accessories, and an impressive collection of designer pieces. Whether she's arriving at a game or attending Fashion Week, Angel dresses like someone who knows the cameras are already waiting.

Her boyfriend, Orlando Magic player Wendell Carter Jr., takes a decidedly more laid-back approach to getting dressed. His style leans toward contemporary streetwear and comfortable, athletic-inspired pieces, which makes the contrast between the two particularly interesting.

I think there's something fun about styling two professional basketball players together, especially when one of them has already walked a major fashion runway. Angel certainly doesn't need anyone to introduce her to the fashion world, but I'd love to see the two lean into their contrasting aesthetics and make a joint courtside appearance worth talking about. For Angel and Wendell, I'm envisioning Acne Studios and Drôle de Monsieur.