Turning NBA prospects into STRAIGHT UP BALLERS

Two Toronto tailors helped four draft attendees look their best.

- LIBAAN OSMAN

In April, Nota Bene Bespoke's Shana Uthaya, left, and Trevis Villafana, right, flew to Chicago to meet with Toronto native and NBA draft prospect Zach Edey to brainstorm, present mock-ups and take measurements. Edey was drafted by Memphis.

For the past three months, two Toronto tailors have been designing suits for four NBA prospects who took centre stage at the 2024 NBA draft.

Nota Bene Bespoke, run by business partners Shana Uthaya and Trevis Villafana, is the company behind the suits worn by Duke's Kyle Filipowski, Kansas's Johnny Furphy, Kentucky's Justin Edwards and Toronto's own Zach Edey.

The Star got a peek behind the magic of how the local tailor company created the suits for four players headed to the NBA.

The NBA draft has become one of the most talked-about fashion events in sports. It's where future stars get to make their mark and introduce themselves to the world while dressing to impress.

Draft night fashion has gone down in history, from Raptors guard Gradey Dick making headlines last year for his "Wizard of Oz"-inspired red suit to LeBron James' classic allwhite outfit from 2003.

Filipowski, 20, and Johnny Furphy, 19, walked the red carpet at the 2024 NBA draft at Barclays Arena in Brooklyn last week, wearing custom-made suits designed by Nota Bene Bespoke.

Furphy-who was selected by the Indiana Pacers at No. 35 - went for a royal blue, single-breasted peak lapel tuxedo with a James Bondesque look, with a black bow tie.

"Johnny Bond" is the nickname Uthaya and Villafana stamped for Furphy while designing his suit.

"I wanted to keep it simple, nothing too crazy, nothing in your face.

The idea was sharp but calm," Furphy told the Star.