Naomi Osaka’s tribute to Allen Iverson caught the attention of the NBA legend.
“Wow, what a honor!! BIG FAN can’t wait to meet you. @naomiosaka” he wrote on Instagram.
While warming up prior to her first-round victory over Anastasia Zakharova at the U.S. Open, Osaka donned a shooting sleeve, headband and elbow pad to mimic Iverson’s on-court look.
Osaka also wore a T-shirt showcasing Iverson’s iconic Slam Magazine cover from 1999 while speaking to reporters leading up to the match. She described the Hall of Fame guard as a “trailblazer.”
“I think he’s also someone that I look up to a lot, because he’s kind of like done a lot in fashion, whether it’s on purpose or not, but he’s shifted the way that NBA players dress,” she said. “I also think the whole conversation around clothes in sports and also just expressing yourself through style, I feel like he’s someone that I look up to in that regard.”
Iverson is generally credited with playing a role in the NBA’s implementation of a stricter dress code in 2005. He embraced an everyday style when he arrived to the arena until commissioner David Stern required players to go more business casual.
Far predating Osaka, a generation of young ballers adopted Iverson’s headband and shooting sleeve when they took the court. The sleeve initially served a medical purpose as Iverson was dealing with an elbow issue. Over time, he decided to keep wearing it anyway.
Perhaps the homage brought Osaka some good luck. She took down Zakharova in straight sets.
The two-time U.S. Open champion will meet Katerina Siniakova in the second round.
