Bailey’s suit struck a balance between classic tailoring and rich detail. The black jacket was edged in crimson piping along the lapels, cuffs and hem, paired with matching trousers and a red dress shirt. A glossy black beaded appliqué covered the shoulders and half the chest, forming a cascading gradient of angular shapes. On the red carpet, Bailey peeled back the jacket to reveal a custom lining — a collage of family photos and a Rutgers “R,” a subtle nod to his freshman season at the school. He completed the look with a shimmering chain-link necklace, anchored by a bedazzled B pendant.

Bailey joins a growing group of prospects leaning into tactile footwear and expressive tailoring for the Draft. Earlier in the evening, fellow Rutgers player Dylan Harper arrived in black veau velours Louboutin loafers with tonal spikes, pairing them with Versace jacquard suiting. The move toward texture and shine suggests a shift from performance to presentation — a red carpet where high-top sneakers and spiked loafers carry as much narrative weight as team caps.

The 2025 NBA Draft, held June 25–26 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, marks the league’s 79th edition and second year in a split-format layout. Bailey is part of a high-profile class that includes Cooper Flagg, Tre Johnson and Dylan Harper.