Stylish Athletes Who Dress Better Than They Play

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Position: Guard/forward
Team: New York Knicks

Iman Shumpert has been catching on in the NBA. He's shown glimpses—he even hit a handful of three pointers in a row against the Indiana Pacers this past post-season. But, ultimately, Shumpert is more known for his flat-top and fly gear than he is for his jumper and tough defense.

Shumpert stunts on a daily basis and loves prints, everything Jeremy Scott for adidas, dressing like a retro kid, and knowing when to throw on a suit. In the years to come, hopefully Shump becomes just as known for his high-energy play.

Position: Shooting guard/small forward
Team: Los Angeles Lakers

Wesley Johnson once had a ball swatted at by Complex's own Nick Grant. The same man who dunked on Gilbert Arenas, then shit his pants. That says a lot about Johnson, but his draft-day suit was awesome, and we'll never forget it.

Johnson posted his career high of nine points per game his rookie season and has tailed off in obscurity before being picked up by the Lakers this offseason. There isn't much evidence of Johnson's off-day swagger, but he dresses well when it comes to menswear. And when you're a professional, that's all that matters, right?

Position: Point guard
Team: Brooklyn Nets 

Tyshawn Taylor was just a rookie last year, but that didn't stop him from being a veteran of style. Unfortunately, Taylor rode the bench the majority of the season and only averaged about six minutes per game and scored a bucket per contest. Those numbers are far from his decree of wearing BBC, Timbs, Louis Vuitton, and knowing how to pull off casual tailored threads. Hopefully, Taylor will step up his game (and playing time) to a level befitting of his swagger.

Position: Power forward
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Tristan Thompson made his rookie debut for the Cleveland Cavaliers last season. Teaming up with Kyrie Irving, Thompson was able to put up respectable numbers in his first season in the league, but people were way, way more concerned with what he was wearing than leading the Cavs to an abysmal finish.

Thompson really knows how to dress—or pays close attention to the Internet. Either way, he dresses in Givenchy, leather pants, Del Toro shoes, and Don C. snapbacks—all gear that we've co-signed in the past year or so.

Position: Quarterback
Team: New York Jets 

There isn't a quarterback under more scrutiny in the NFL than Mark Sanchez. The former USC signal-caller first met prosperity with back-to-back trips to the AFC Championship Game earlier in his career. But with the drafting of Geno Smith, nearly everyone in the Tri-State Area is calling for Sanchez to ride the pine.

If only Sanchez could throw as well as he can put together a suit. Blessed with looks that make it hard to appear sloppy, Sanchez cleans up well, personifies the new age of menswear, and is a men's publication stylist's dream come true. However, his style completions greatly outweigh his on-field performances.

Position: Small forward
Team: Philadelphia 76ers 

Dorell Wright actually had a season where he averaged over 16 points a game, but that was three years ago for a pitiful Golden State Warriors squad that posted a 36-46 record. Besides that, Wright has pretty much averaged single-digit scoring averages his entire nine-year NBA career.

None of that matters if you're as steez as Wright, though. The forward has some of the best gear in the NBA when it comes to streetwear and hyped pieces—owning a pair of the Kanye West x Louis Vuitton sneakers, Hood By Air, and Don C. snapbacks.

Position: Wide receiver
Team: Free Agent

Chad Johnson, formerly known as Ochocinco, isn't retired, but he should be. The former standout wide receiver hasn't played meaningful minutes since his lackluster season with the New England Patriots in the 2011-2012.

Since then, he's had a messy divorce, been cut from the Miami Dolphins, and still hasn't found his way back onto a roster. But he's listed as an NFL free-agent, and is the most stylish available. Johnson spends his stacks on brands such as Comme des Garçons PLAY and Balenciaga, while he has learned to put together loud prints and actually make them work on his tallish frame. We'll give you a standing ovation for your steez, Chad. Now, we want to see you dancing in the end zone again, please?

Position: Shooting guard/Small Forward
Team: Los Angeles Lakers 

Nick Young's career can be classified as a decent player who has put up average numbers on really bad teams. But style is in Young's blood. His cousin, Kendrick Lamar, is the most stylish rapper in L.A. right now, and, recently signing a deal with the Lakers, Young looks to become the city's most stylish athlete.

He may have to compete with the likes of Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul to become the best-dressed in the City of Angels, but Swaggy P's love for streetwear—and a bright piece of clothing he could never pass up—has vaulted him to the status of a true stunter. With kits this confident, you'd expect Young's game to be equally aggressive, but his career averages of 11 points and two rebounds per game equates to nothing more than offense off the bench.

Position: Point guard
Team: Toronto Raptors

We all thought Sebastian Telfair was going to be the next great NBA player after watching Through the Fire. Sadly, things never panned out for Bassy, but that's alright—he's one of the most stylish NBA players right now, even if he's struggling to find a team and steady playing time. Telfair's style—unlike his game on the court—is well-rounded. He can wear leather, 5-panel hats, camo pants, and Lanvin velvet blazers. If only he could consistently hit a J, Bassy would dethrone many of the league's most stylish players.

Position: Small forward/shooting guard
Team: Atlanta Hawks 

Dahntay Jones has never averaged more than 10 points per game in his career. In fact, the majority of the guard's 10 seasons in the NBA have seen him post up an average of five or fewer points a game. However, while he's not making his way to the cup, Jones sure knows how to dress. As witnessed on his Instagram account, the Rutgers and Duke alum can mix Continental tailoring with high fashion brands such as Givenchy and oxfords from Thom Browne. Although Jones has been assigned to a journeyman role in his remaining years in the league, he has certainly found a look that works for him.