Deep within Target Center long before the crowd fills the seats, Nickeil Alexander-Walker showed up for Game 4 of the Western Conference finals on Monday wearing a black and gray camo hoodie over black leather trousers adorned with a shiny silver wallet chain.
Alexander Walker is regarded as the most stylish among the Timberwolves. At an earlier point in the season, Slam magazine’s LeagueFits, which is a well-known social media platform showcasing the best-dressed athletes from both the NBA and WNBA, recognized him as part of their first team.
“all NBA fits.”
“It won’t be easy to find anyone who didn’t anticipate this,” Slam commented about Alexander-Walker.
Pro basketball players essentially hold a pre-game fashion display known as the tunnel walk.
The glamorous atmosphere, complete with bursts of flash from cameras, is deeply rooted in NBA tradition. Russell Westbrook, an iconic and prominent figure in basketball, initiated the trend where athletes display their pre-game style through a mix of high-end fashion, urban wear, and limited-edition footwear. Nowadays, franchises frequently post galleries featuring the stylish attire worn by players as they make their entrance.
In the locker room, Alexander-Walker mentioned that he feels fortunate to have the means to buy quality attire, yet it isn’t necessarily about sporting designer labels all the time.
I’ve always been passionate about clothing, shopping, and expressing myself through fashion. In my youth, it held great significance for me,” he explained. “Our family was deeply involved in this lifestyle. It wasn’t really about designer labels per se. The other day, my mother visited Target and found herself completely engrossed wandering around.
When choosing a game outfit, he aims for clothing that “expresses itself through me.” He mentioned that engaging with fashion serves as an enjoyable pastime that helps alleviate some of the tension and strain from playing the sport.
It was evident on Monday night when he led the team in scoring with 23 points.
In 2005, the NBA implemented a business casual dress code that limited what players were allowed to wear when they arrived at the arena. However, before the start of the 2019-2020 season, these rules were relaxed, permitting greater self-expression along with an allowance for sweatpants.
Julius Randle is consistently the earliest player to reach the Wolves’ venue at Target Center. On Monday, he was seen sporting dark sweats along with a Tupac Shakur long-sleeve graphic shirt and a black cap. Carrying a large water bottle, he fielded a phone call as ESPN cameras trailed him entering the locker room.
Next was Anthony Edwards, sporting a simple white T-shirt, gray sweats, and shades.
Iman Shumpert, who played in the NBA and now works as an ESPN analyst, mentioned that certain athletes gear up with a professional outlook, whereas others prioritize comfort.
I recall during some games with the Cavaliers, we all wore suits to adopt a professional attitude and maintain consistency… However, many players prefer casual attire as it makes them more at ease. It helps them feel relaxed and ready to grab the ball and head onto the court.
Shumpert mentioned that tunnel walks are primarily about nostalgia and allowing players to showcase their individuality.
“As far back as I can recall, when you’re a young child and you’re eagerly awaiting the game, there’s something special about watching the players arrive in their fancy cars and dressed in their uniforms,” he mentioned.
Shumpert took pictures during the tunnel walk. He chose red Nike shoes stating, “I like to say there’ll be blood in big games like this.” His outfit included coordinating red shorts, a completely black sports jacket, a white shirt, and a tie, merging formal and relaxed styles seamlessly.
The veteran NBA photographer David Sherman mentioned that the tunnel walks have changed gradually over time, adapting to various style fads and league regulations.
It marks the convergence of style and athletics,” Sherman stated while snapping photos of athletes as they entered the locker room on Monday. “This plays a crucial role within this environment.
The majority of the Wolves players opted for casual outfits for Monday’s game. Notable NBA veteran Mike Conley was seen wearing a white crewneck sweatshirt emblazoned with “Good Guys Finish First” on the back.
Chris Hine, a staff writer for Star Tribune, also contributed to this report.
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