Join Hublot as they walk the NBA Draft! Here are the stellar timepieces featured on the American Basketball League’s hottest new prospects.
2024 has already been a good year to be an NBA fan. That is, unless you are a Dallas Mavericks supporter – In exciting yet inevitable fashion, the Boston Celtics finally won an NBA Championship after sixteen years. But as the confetti is brushed away in TD Garden, preparation has already commenced for the 2025 Season.
The 78th Annual NBA Draft has now come and gone, with the attention now focussed on the finest emerging superstars in basketball. Although the talent of these athletes is not to be underestimated, our focus is more on their wrists than their skills! Hublot, a known supporter of the world’s most talented athletes, are proud to recognise that some of their iconic models were present alongside these future legends. These are the four Hublot watches that made their presence known at the Brooklyn Barclays Center this year.
Isaiah Collier & Cody Williams: Hublot Classic Fusion Black Magic 42mm
Isaiah Collier and Cody Williams had the same idea coming into this year’s draft, but that’s not a bad thing! The former, a Marietta, Georgia native, played guard for the USC Trojans before being drafted into the Utah Jazz. He has also notably won both the 2023 Naismith Prep Player of the Year award and was even crowned Mr. Georgia Basketball, declared as the best player in the entire state. The latter, also drafted into the Jazz, hails from San Luis Obispo, California. His reputation is similarly stacked, having been selected to play in the Pac-12 All Freshman Team and the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Boys game, in which Williams would compete against Collier.
Now that they’re teammates, it’s good to see that things have gone off on the right wrist, as both boys would be spotted at the draft wearing the 42mm Hublot Classic Fusion Black Magic. Initially introduced in 2005/06, the Black Magic has become a staple of practically every Hublot collection with its lightweight and scratch-resistant black ceramic case. The matte black dial finish only served to enhance the sleek modern aesthetic, and serves as the ideal piece for two of the NBA’s future superstars.
Reference: 542.CM.1171.RX
Australian Retail Pricing: 14,600.00
Specification:
- Size: 42mm
- Case: Black Ceramic
- Dial: Matte Black
- Movement: Automatic HUB1110 Movement
- Power reserve: 42hrs
- Water resistance: 5bar (50 meters)
- Crystal: Sapphire with Anti-reflective coating
- Case back: Steel case-back.
- Strap: Black Rubber with Ceramic Folding Clasp
Ron Holland: Hublot Classic Fusion Black Magic 42mm Chronograph
For Ron Holland’s Hublot, The Classic Fusion Black Magic seemed to not have been doing it for him. The Duncanville, Texas power forward opted for the 42mm chronograph rendition of the ceramic timepiece, backed by the HUB1153 automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve.
The Black Magic Chronograph is a stealthy statement piece perfect for Holland. While he has also played in the 2023 McDonald’s All Boy’s Game, he has also represented the United States in the FIBA Americas Under-16 and the Under-17 World Cup in Spain – both of which he won gold medals for. He also took Duncanville High School to an unprecedented 29-1 record in this past season! As he was drafted into the Detroit Pistons, the Black Magic Chronograph would accompany him at the start of his journey to the NBA.
Reference: 542.CM.1171.RX
Australian Retail Pricing: 18,400.00
Specification:
- Size: 42mm
- Case: Black Ceramic
- Dial: Matt Black
- Movement: Automatic HUB1153 Chronograph Movement
- Power reserve: 42hrs
- Water resistance: 5bar (50 meters)
- Crystal: Sapphire with Anti-reflective coating
- Case back: Steel case-back.
- Strap: Black Rubber with Ceramic Folding Clasp
Devin Carter: Hublot Classic Fusion Racing Grey 42mm Chronograph
Moving away from the Black Magic pieces is Devin Carter. From sunny Miami, Florida, Devin has some generational experience with the NBA – his father, Anthony Carter, was hired as a player development coach for the Miami Heat. Although a shoulder injury would cut his senior career tragically short, it wouldn’t stop him from becoming 2024’s Big East Player of the Year.
Drafted into the Sacramento Kings, Devin’s weapon of choice is the titanium Classic Fusion Racing Grey Chronograph. Again backed by the HUB1153 chronograph movement, this Classic Fusion may not be as exceptionally scratch resistant as ceramic, but wears exceptionally light and is incredibly tough. Resistant to corrosion, heat, and pressure, this timepiece is a resilient as Devin himself.
Reference: 541.NX.7070.RX
Australian Retail Pricing: 16,800.00
Specification:
- Size: 42mm
- Case: Titanium
- Dial: Grey
- Movement: Automatic HUB1153 Chronograph Movement
- Power reserve: 42hrs
- Water resistance: 5bar (50 meters)
- Crystal: Sapphire with Anti-reflective coating
- Case back: Steel case-back.
- Strap: Black Rubber with Steel Folding Clasp
Jared McCain: Hublot Classic Fusion Yellow Gold 42mm Chronograph
Finally, Jared McCain also wears a Classic Fusion chronograph, but this time he has opted to make it a little more extravagant. Similar to Isaiah Collier, Jared was also named Mr. Basketball in California, and has also won a gold medal in the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship in Mexico. Up until the draft, he played for the Duke Blue Devils, a reputable college team that has the fifth-most NCAA basketball wins of all time.
His draft into the Philadelphia 76ers was met with a Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph in 18k yellow gold. As opposed to his peers, the yellow gold makes an extremely loud yet elegant statement at the draft, putting all eyes on the young prospect before he has even played a game.
Reference: 541.VX.1130.RX
Australian Retail Pricing: 44,100.00
Specification:
- Size: 42mm
- Case: 18k Yellow Gold
- Dial: Black
- Movement: Automatic HUB1153 Movement
- Power reserve: 42hrs
- Water resistance: 5bar (50 meters)
- Crystal: Sapphire with Anti-reflective coating
- Case back: Steel case-back.
- Strap: Black Rubber with Ceramic Folding Clasp
Final Thoughts:
It’s always awesome to see the watch world collide with other cultures, particularly in sports. While watch brands have been pervasive in all cultures, the fact that it’s been widely accepted somewhat makes it less special.
However, it’s good to know that brands like Hublot don’t look to steal the spotlight at these events, but instead opt to elevate those that wear it! For these five prospects, the pressure is on for them to strive for excellence in every form – and Hublot is all too familiar with that concept. I look forward to seeing them play on the court, as well as seeing their watch game evolve off the court!
