This year’s NBA Draft wasn’t just a showcase of future basketball talent – it was also a display of serious watch game. The next generation of NBA stars proved that today’s top athletes are passionate not just about hooping, but also flexing their best timepieces. From iced-out statement pieces to more budget-friendly options, this year’s draftees did not come to play. Below we break down the most notable watches that made an appearance at Barclays Center, and what made each one so special.
Cooper Flagg – Hublot Big Bang Integrated “Time Only” 40mm
Cooper Flagg stepped out in a navy Boss suit with an icy 40 mm Hublot Big Bang Integrated “Time Only” Jewelry watch.
The number one overall pick and Dallas Mavericks draftee chose our very own number one pick when it comes to watches. His Hublot Big Bang Integrated Time Only stunned. It is crafted in lightweight titanium and completely covered in diamonds from the bezel to the band. Flagg’s watch was the most expensive at the draft, retailing for $180,000.
Cedric Coward – Custom Iced-Out Rolex Datejust II
Cedric Coward wore an all-black suit with plenty of ice on his neck and wrist, paired with a custom Rolex Datejust II.
He made a stylish appearance with his very own bust-down custom piece, fully encrusted in diamonds across the dial, bezel, and custom bracelet. This overhaul of Rolex’s classic design showcased Coward’s individuality. He stood out as the only player with a completely custom piece, valued at over $10,000.
VJ Edgecombe – Rolex Datejust 126234
VJ Edgecombe wore a classic Rolex Datejust 126234 with a black dial and fluted bezel.
The third overall pick kept it simple with a Rolex Datejust that oozed understated luxury. Edgecombe’s 36mm Datejust features a black dial with a white-gold fluted bezel. The Philadelphia 76ers draftee’s Rolex has a market value just under $13,000.
Kon Knueppel – Rolex Yacht-Master 40 (Blue Dial)
Kon Knueppel celebrated being the 4th pick (Charlotte Hornets) by wearing a bold Rolex Yacht-Master 40 with a platinum bezel and signature blue dial.
Knueppel posed confidently on the NBA red carpet wearing a sporty Rolex Yacht-Master 40 (reference 126622). This luxury sports watch includes a platinum bezel and anti-glare sapphire crystal. It has a market value around $13,500.
Walter Clayton Jr. – Rolex Day-Date 228348RBR
Clayton Jr. wore a Rolex Day-Date, also known as a "Rolex President" while being drafted for Utah.
His watch stood out for its all-gold appearance, champagne dial, and diamond bezel—a classic yet lavish look that adds to the timeless Day-Date reputation.
Asa Newell – Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (116520)
Newell wore a stainless steel Rolex Daytona – featuring a white dial and matching steel bezel.
Forward Asa Newell entered the draft night wearing the watch on the top of every collector’s wishlist: a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in stainless steel. His Daytona featured the famed configuration – steel case, steel tachymeter bezel, and crisp white dial – closely associated with Rolex’s ref. 116520. Since going out of production, this model’s value has soared, likely costing around $20,000 today. By wearing this clean Daytona, Newell revealed a taste for enduring classics – an "unbeatable" pick, just like his NBA hopes.
Danny Wolf – Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea (116660)
Wolf stood at 7-feet tall sporting a Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea.
The Brooklyn Nets draftee wore a 44mm Deepsea in Oystersteel, featuring a black dial. Given his tall stature, the 44mm hardly looked oversized. The rotating bezel and Cerachrom insert make this Rolex ideal for deep-sea divers and bold wrist statements alike. Market value: around $12,000.
Jeremiah Fears – Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 (Damian Lillard Edition)
Fears, drafted by New Orleans, opted for a Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 in gold PVD.
Not every player went ultra-luxury. Fears wore a Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 “Damian Lillard Edition,” plated in yellow-gold PVD with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and quick-release bracelet. Retailing at $875, this model proves you don’t need a six-figure watch to make a statement.
Liam McNeeley – Bulova Marine Star (Series C)
McNeeley arrived wearing a modest Bulova Marine Star.
Liam McNeeley proved you don’t need to break the bank to show taste. Retailing at $675, his Bulova Marine Star C Series in stainless steel with rose gold accents punched above its price in looks. A strong reminder that draft night is more about game than glam.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 NBA Draft delivered not only potential basketball greatness but also serious wristwear inspiration. While Flagg and Coward drew eyes with their iced-out pieces, many prospects displayed refined taste with timeless Rolex classics. Others like Fears and McNeeley proved that great style isn’t about price alone. In all, this year’s draft continued the growing tradition of turning the NBA’s biggest night into a fashion—and horology—showcase.
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