Met Gala 2024: Shot Of Tequila & LeBron James Dominate Fallen NBA Star Ben Simmons’ Debut

The 2024 Met Gala was regal in every sense of the word. Zendaya, Indian fashion entrepreneur Mona Patel, and Nicki Minaj seem to have been the sweethearts of the prestigious event hosted by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. That is not to say there wasn’t any athletic presence at the event. From Sir Lewis Hamilton to Angel Reese, the event had its fair share of veterans and the upcoming big names of the sports world. And who represented the NBA? Why, it was none other than the injury-riddled Nets star, Ben Simmons.

Clad in a Thom Browne exclusive, Simmons stayed true to the Met Gala theme, ‘Garden of Time’. He was dressed in a tweed suit, paired with an oversized jacket that had a hand-painted, white satin bullion rose stitched on the side. Simmons completed the look with Thom Browne accessories. But a Met outfit is never complete without a statement piece, is it? Well, the Australian didn’t disappoint as he arrived with a briefcase clock.

Seeing as how this is the 27-year-old’s first Met Gala, Esquire, the popular men’s magazine caught up with Ben Simmons for a tête-à-tête before his grand debut. Given how much of a crossover fashion and sports have had in recent years, NBA players have also switched to paying extra attention to their fit. And Simmons is not behind in fashion choices, either.

According to the 3x All-Star, his personal style is “classy, simple, and always comes down to the details.” But there are a few whose influence has shaped his choices.

Ben Simmons’ list of fashion influencers and pre-Met Gala ritual

The 6’10 point guard names a few well-known faces who have contributed to his sense of style. “(Russell) Westbrook, he really pushes the envelope a lot. LeBron, too, and Pharrell. Pharrell, of course, is one of my favorites,” Simmons iterated. LeBron James might not be hailed as the fashion king, but he certainly knows how to carry himself. But Russell Westbrook? The man would have had a blooming career as a fashion designer if he hadn’t chosen basketball!

Russ is on point every time he walks out. And his attention to detail is also unlike any other. Except, maybe Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But for Ben, Westbrook is one of the big names on his list. And while this is not Simmons’ first time on a big stage, the Met Gala is unlike any other stage.

It draws the crème de la crème of the global entertainment industry to its halls. As such, there might be a slight case of jittery nerves. And what might Ben Simmons’ pre-Met Gala ritual be in such a case? Not that he has admitted to such. Even so, let’s hear it from the man himself.

“Oh, I’m going to take a shot of tequila and hit the red carpet.” As simple as that! Tequila does seem to be the solution for a whole lot of problems, now does it not? It’s a pity it cannot change Simmons’ current reputation, though.