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Among the 15 prospective draftees who walked the Orange Carpet, there was a record-breaking group of designer garments: Caitlin Clark in a full Prada look, Cameron Brink in a Balmain dress, and Jacy Sheldon in an Oscar de la Renta dress. Looking beyond luxury price tags, our draftees’ style choices point to the achievements and work throughout their college careers and an elevated perception towards draft night outfits. 

While past draft classes have tapped stylists, friends, or family to help prepare their looks, this group of draftees introduced a new trend of involving agents in their outfit creation: Alissa Pili credits her agent for finding a designer who created a look around her personal heritage and Angel Reese’s agent gave a mysterious shoutout to Vogue editor Naomi Elizée for securing her dress. 

Compared to outfits from the WNBA draft from 2004 or 2014, blending in through standard blazers-over-dresses has been replaced with standing out through personality-infused looks. From chic gowns, with extreme thigh slits, to dazzling details, like Nika Mühl’s custom grills by jeweler Gabby Elan, here’s how this year’s group of WNBA draftees intensified their sparkle for their pro-league debut:

1 WNBA/NBA Athlete Dressed by Prada for the Draft 

As high fashion turns to pro athletes for partnerships, Caitlin Clark makes Prada history as the first WNBA/NBA athlete dressed for a draft by the brand. Clark’s all-white Prada outfit, with a sparkly rhinestone cropped top feels like an extension of her natural on- and off-court elegance.

2 Pairs of Louboutin Heels 

Channeling the status and razor-sharp style of red bottom shoes, Angel Reese and Rickea Jackson wore Christian Louboutin heels. Reese, working with stylist Maddie Igoby, opts for a silver, open-toed model while Jackson kept it classic with a pointy-toed pump.

3 Draftees in Designer Sunglasses 

Playing up the ‘superstar’ quality of their college careers, Caitlin Clark, Rickea Jackson, and Nika Mühl brought luxe sunglasses to the draft. While Jackson repped Detroit with a pair of “white buffs,” slang for Cartier glasses, Mühl and stylist Brittney Hampton landed on futuristic Gentle Monster frames.  

6 Distinct Suit-Inspired Looks 

Aligning with the tradition of wearing suits to the draft, six of the WNBA draftees selected suit-inspired looks for the carpet. Alongside Kamilla Cardoso’s bright red suit and Charisma Osborne’s Veronica Beard suit, Dyaisha Fair’s suit stands out with rose-shaped rhinestone embellishments to symbolize her hometown of Rochester. 

10 Years Since a Native American WNBA Player was Drafted

 Anchorage-born Alissa Pili weaves her Indigenous and Polynesian heritage into her black and gold carpet outfit, shouting out her agent for matching her with designer Jason Vu. Pili becomes the 5th Native American woman to join the WNBA.

WNBA reporter Kirsten Chen writes a lifestyle & fashion column on WNBA.com throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.