The NBA Draft holds special meaning for players. It is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, leading up to the moment when their dreams come true and they are selected by a team to play in the big league. For LeBron James , the 2003 NBA Draft was a particularly memorable event, not only because he was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers but also because of the infamous suit he wore that day.
In a feature on what many consider one of the best draft classes of all time, "The King" looked back on that fateful day and remembered the nerves and excitement he felt leading up to it.
A memorable suit for the wrong reasons
As someone touted as "The Chosen One" since high school, LeBron knew that all eyes were on him during this event. Even though he already knew which team was picking him, the pressure was intense. However, he remained focused on staying true to himself and enjoying the experience. And when then-commissioner David Stern announced his name as the first pick, James couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotion.
With the spotlight shining brightly on the then-18-year-old prodigy, he got up from the table, hugged his mom, Gloria, and walked toward the stage to shake hands with the late, great NBA commissioner David Stern. At the time, he looked pristine in a red Cleveland Cavaliers cap and an all-white pinstripe.
A decade after that event, with years of style and fashion knowledge, LeBron commented on the fashion faux pas he committed that night, comparing himself to a popular comic book character.
"That was a disgusting suit," the 20-time All-Star stressed . "It was too big, and I looked like Casper the Friendly Ghost, all that white."
Throughout the history of the NBA Draft, plenty of hideous outfits have existed. From Tim Thomas' infamous pin-striped, all-white suit in 1997 to Bonzi Wells's monstrous jacket the following year, players have tried and failed to use the draft to showcase their personal style. LBJ believes his suit will be remembered, albeit for the wrong reasons.
"I know it goes down as one of the memorable draft suits with Karl Malone and his tie and Jalen Rose and Samaki Walker with his hat. But I can't bear to look back at it," James shared.
Related: "No cap … he is gonna make a few before he retires" - Perk says LBJ still has a few more All-NBA team selections in him
A dream come true
As talented as King James was for his age, the reality of his dream coming true didn't dawn upon him until he finally heard Stern call his name. Although his agent at the time, Aaron Goodwin, had already informed him the Cavs would select him, it wasn't until that moment that everything became real.
"I knew I was staying home. It was a calm day for me until I had to go up and meet [NBA commissioner] David Stern. I had dreamed about that moment, walking across the stage and putting on the hat. So I got a little anxious when I got up there," the four-time league MVP shared.
Since that fateful day, Bron has come a long way, winning four NBA titles, becoming the league's all-time leading scorer, and establishing himself as one of the greatest players in the game's history.
Related: "I told him he should use his leverage" - Hakeem's critical tip to LeBron after embarrassing 2011 NBA Finals loss
Local News
