From sleek suits to dazzling chains, the 2026 NBA draft is a chance for the league’s newest players to make an early statement on the Barclays Center stage.
The spotlight always shines brightest, however, on the No. 1 pick — the first player called also earns the distinction of being first player to show off their style in front of a national television audience.
From Paolo Banchero’s purple suit and “P5” chain to LeBron James’ iconic all-white look, NBA No. 1 pick fashion has seen plenty of evolution over the years. Here are the looks of every No. 1 pick since 2000:
Year: 2025
Team: Dallas Mavericks
Cooper Flagg shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) after being drafted first overall by the Dallas Mavericks. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Year: 2024
Team: Atlanta Hawks
Zaccharie Risacher poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2024 NBA draft. Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images
Year: 2023
Team: San Antonio Spurs
Victor Wembanyama poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2023 NBA draft. Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Paolo Banchero
Year: 2022
Team: Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2022 NBA draft. Brandon Todd/NBAE via Getty Images
Year: 2021
Team: Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2021 NBA draft. Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images
Year: 2020
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2020 NBA draft. Anthony Edwards/NBAE via Getty Images
Year: 2019
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2019 NBA draft. Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Year: 2018
Team: Phoenix Suns
Deandre Ayton poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the Phoenix Suns in the 2018 NBA draft. Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images
Year: 2017
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Markelle Fultz poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2017 NBA draft. Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Year: 2016
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Ben Simmons poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA draft. Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images
Year: 2015
Team: Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2015 NBA draft. Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images
Year: 2014
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Andrew Wiggins poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2014 NBA draft. Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images
Anthony Bennett Year: 2013
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Anthony Bennett poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2013 NBA draft. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
Year: 2012
Team: New Orleans Pelicans
Anthony Davis shakes hands with then NBA commissioner David Stern after being selected No. 1 overall by the New Orleans Hornets during the 2012 NBA draft. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Year: 2011
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Kyrie Irving shakes hands with then NBA commissioner David Stern after being selected No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2011 NBA draft. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
John Wall Year: 2010
Team: Washington Wizards
John Wall, selected No. 1 by the Washington Wizards, poses for a portrait during the 2010 NBA draft. (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
Blake Griffin Year: 2009
Team: LA Clippers
Blake Griffin shakes hands with then NBA commissioner David Stern after being selected first by the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2009 NBA draft. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Year: 2008
Team: Chicago Bulls
Derrick Rose shakes hands with then-NBA commissioner David Stern after being selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2008. (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Greg Oden Year: 2007
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Greg Oden, selected first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers, is seen during the 2007 NBA draft. (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Andrea Bargnani Year: 2006
Team: Toronto Raptors
Andrea Bargnani poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the Toronto Raptors in the 2006 NBA draft. (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
Andrew Bogut Year: 2005
Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Andrew Bogut walks across the stage as he is drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2005 NBA draft. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dwight Howard Year: 2004
Team: Orlando Magic
Dwight Howard poses after being selected No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2004 NBA draft. (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
LeBron James Year: 2003
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron James poses with his jersey after being selected No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2004. (Photo by: Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
Yao Ming Year: 2002
Team: Houston Rockets
Yao Ming after being chosen first overall in the 2002 NBA draft on June 25, 2002, by the Houston Rockets. (Photo by Chen Xiaowei/ NBAE/ Getty Images)
Kwame Brown Year: 2001
Team: Washington Wizards
Kwame Brown after being the first pick of the NBA draft by the Washington Wizards in 2001. Al Bello/ALLSPORT
Kenyon Martin Year: 2000
Team: New Jersey Nets
Kenyon Martin’s outfit when selected No. 1 overall by the New Jersey Nets in the 2000 NBA draft. (Photo by John Roca/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
