The 2012 NBA Draft is still a few weeks away yet fans are already eager to see the suits donned by basketball’s future stars. The night provides an opportunity for these young players to unveil their off-court image. They have only one chance to make their first fashion impression, turning the NBA Draft suit game into quite a competition. A bad draft day suit is not easily forgotten so players nowadays put in a lot of time and effort leading up to their big moment of sartorial display.

Thanks to the help of styling services like C.J. Custom Clothiers of Memphis, Tennessee, top prospects entering the draft are provided an opportunity to get styled with handsomely tailored suits and bold accessories. Jones has plenty of experience dressing rookies for both the NFL and NBA Drafts. John Henson, Thomas Robinson, Arnett Moultrie and Kris Joseph, former college basketball players at North Carolina, Kansas, Mississippi State and Syracuse respectively, are among those who were fitted for suits ahead of the NBA Draft, by Clarence Jones of C.J. Custom Clothiers. We’ll have to wait a bit longer to see how all of the suits stack up this year but A Glam Slam has insight into the some of the draft day duds we’ll see from Jones’ clients. A Glam Slam also spoke with Clarence about the differences in dressing NBA and NFL draftees. Check it out below.

(Clarence Jones, owner of C.J. Custom Clothiers)

(Styled by C.J. Custom Clothiers, John Henson, Thomas Robinson & Arnett Moultrie)

Are there any trends we can expect to see during this year’s NBA Draft?

Most of the players will probably be wearing European style, fitted suits, just like the NFL Draft. They’re into the shorter jackets, more fitted suits, still a straight leg pant. Skinny ties with some of the guys will be big this year.

Is there a big difference in dressing NBA draftees as opposed to NFL draftees?

It’s a little different because the NBA players are a little thinner. They want their suits to be a bit more tighter-fitting than the NFL guys. Most of the NFL guys, since they’re bigger, they want suits to be fitted but not as tight as the NBA player would want.

Is the same styling process in place for the NBA draftees?

Most of the guys would usually give me a particular color and I let them help select their own fabric. With my recommendations, we sit down and decide on the fabrics. It’s the same process as with the NFL, we get together, I get to know the player and his likes and dislikes, and we have a conversation on how he wants things to fit.

The only difference this year, John Henson sent me a picture of a style of a suit that he wanted. With Thomas [Robinson], he was more sold on color and fit. So he picked his color and told me how he wanted it to fit. Same goes for Arnett Moultrie, he picked the fit and color. And for Kris Joseph of Syracuse, he selected fabrics and wanted a tight, European fit.

Who were some of your best-dressed picks from the 2011 NBA Draft?

Derrick Williams who went to Minnesota, he looked nice. I liked what he had on. Kemba Walker looked good too. I wasn’t too keen on his shoes, but I liked the fit of his suit.

For those looking to inquire about Jones’ services, he can be reached at: 901-378-8273 or cjcustomclothiers.cj@gmail.com, or visit http://cjcustomclothiers.com. You can also follow the company on facebook http://www.facebook.com/CjCustomClothiers or on twitter @clarence_2525.

(Photo credit: C.J. Custom Clothiers)