When we imagine a diamond jewelry statement, our minds often go straight to our favorite actors and musicians who know how to shine on the red carpet and in their everyday street style. But we shouldn’t leave athletes out of our diamond dreams. NFL players bring the bling to their pregame looks, while MLB stars rock their ice both on and off the (serendipitously named) baseball diamond.
From simple studs to personalized, over-the-top chains, each accessory makes a statement and tells a story. This self-expression shines bright in NBA jewelry. Basketball’s biggest stars are stepping into the spotlight as jewelry visionaries, leading the charge on how to incorporate natural diamonds into their signature looks.
Meet the Author
- Sarah Cassuto graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Journalism.
- As a journalist, she has worked at publications including the New York Post, GQ, Glamour and Teen Vogue.
Ahead, a look at the best NBA Jewelry, from legends like LeBron James to celebs who dazzle courtside.
NBA Jewelry: LeBron James
The King of Basketball is also the king of diamonds. Entering the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, LeBron James is no stranger to the game or NBA jewelry. Throughout his career, he has won four championships across three teams: the Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
One of the most extravagant pieces in LeBron’s jewelry collection is his Light-Up Lion Pendant. LeBron tapped celebrity jeweler Iceman Nick to make this piece while he was in Houston playing for the Rockets in 2020. According to TMZ Sports, the pendant is made up of 35 carats of diamonds and 130 grams of 14-karat gold.
This year marks his 23rd season in the NBA, making the forward the longest-tenured player in league history—and one of its most consistent icons of NBA jewelry, having dazzled in diamonds for virtually his entire career.
In addition to his love of diamonds, James has an extensive luxury watch collection, including the Rolex Daytona “Eye of the Tiger”, which features 38 baguette cut diamonds along with dials that include brilliant cut diamonds and black lacquer.
NBA Jewelry: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also known as SGA, was drafted to the NBA in 2018 as an 11th overall draft pick and was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.
SGA’s fashion-forward looks and his NBA jewelry collection match his all-star status. After being traded to Oklahoma City, Gilgeous-Alexander commissioned a chain necklace featuring 14 carats of diamonds that spell out his go-to phrase, “Don’t Mind My Drip.” The chain was made by Jason of Beverly Hills and is estimated to be worth $60,000.
The same confidence behind SGA’s necklace is reflected in his decorated career. SGA was named the NBA MVP and Scoring Champion in 2025. He has won an NBA Championship and earned the NBA All-Star title three times.
NBA Jewelry: Steph Curry
Steph Curry was drafted to the Golden State Warriors in 2009, where he has spent his entire NBA career, including four NBA championships.
This basketball legend is stylish on and off the court. Curry’s most notable diamond piece is a custom SC initial logo pendant in rose gold and covered in diamonds. The pendant was created with Kilani Jewellery, who has also created custom pieces for Drake and DJ Khaled. Another standout piece from Curry’s collection is a diamond chain with the names of his four children set in pavé diamonds, both stunning and meaningful.
The point guard was awarded the NBA MVP for two consecutive seasons, in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. Curry holds the title of NBA all-time leading three-point scorer and, dare we say, NBA Jewelry MVP.
NBA Jewelry: Russell Westbrook
Russell Westbrook was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics (later the Oklahoma City Thunder) in 2008 as the fourth overall pick.
Westbrook reached the NBA Finals with the Thunder in 2012 but lost to the Miami Heat, led by James. While he may not have a championship ring, he is known for his diamond-studded NBA jewelry looks. Westbrook is often seen wearing Azlee pieces, including the Greek Pattern & Emerald Large Coin pendant with diamonds, the Large Circle-Link Motif Chain with Diamond Pave Links, and the Rich Emerald Bead Necklace.
Throughout his career, Westbrook has bounced among teams and currently plays point guard for the Sacramento Kings. Westbrook was awarded the NBA All-Star MVP in 2015 and 2016, and the NBA scoring champion in 2015 and 2017.
NBA Jewelry: Jayson Tatum
Jayson Tatum became a Boston Celtic in 2017 as the third overall draft pick. He has spent his entire NBA career wearing Celtics Green.
Over the years, Tatum has become an NBA jewelry style icon, wearing a variety of diamond chains, pendants, watches, and earrings. One standout piece in his extensive watch collection is an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 41mm Watch, made of yellow gold and set with a diamond bezel.
Throughout his eight seasons in the NBA, Tatum scored one championship ring, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in 2024. He is also the youngest Celtics player to score 10,000 career points.
Tatum loves to show off a good pair of classic diamond studs, as seen on his Instagram. To complete the look, another show-stopping piece he’s been spotted wearing is his ‘J’ initial diamond pendant.
NBA Jewelry: Ja Morant
Entering the NBA in 2019, Temetrius Jamel “Ja” Morant was drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies. He has been named an NBA All-Star twice, in 2022 and 2023, becoming the first player in Grizzlies history to earn the honor for two consecutive seasons.
Although Morant does not yet have an NBA championship ring, he does have some impressive ice. Starting with his 14-karat white gold pendant featuring his logo, designed by Icebox. The striking pendant includes over 32 carats of natural VS emerald cut and round brilliant cut diamonds. Morant also purchased two infinity link style necklaces to match the pendant. The smaller chain is crafted in 14 karat white gold, set with over 28 carats of natural VS diamonds, and weighs just over 160 grams. The larger chain is set with over 26 carats of natural VS diamonds. Both necklaces feature baguette cut and round brilliant cut diamonds.
In March 2022, Morant’s smile lit up the press conference room on NBA All-Star Media Day, where he revealed his honeycomb diamond grill created by celebrity jeweler Johnny Dang. The Grizzlies are clearly a dripped-out team. Forward-center Jaren Jackson Jr. and Power Forward Brandon Clarke have also invested in custom grillz.
Timothée Chalamet Courtside
Though not a basketball player, Timothee Chalamet still deserves an honorary mention. From walking the red carpet to sitting courtside at New York Knicks games with his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, Chalamet knows a great piece of jewelry and how to style it.
While cheering on the Kicks, the Cartier brand ambassador turned heads in a Cartier Tank Américaine watch. Crafted in 18k white gold, the timeless piece features a case set with 42 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 1.13 carats and a crown set with an inverted diamond. The bracelet is semi-set with 270 pavé brilliant cut diamonds totaling 1.03 carats.
Other eye-catching pieces Chalamet has sported during his courtside appearances include a classic diamond tennis necklace and the Cartier Baignoire Allongée, an 18k white gold piece featuring a case set with brilliant-cut diamonds. The ring is currently valued at $51,500.
NBA Jewelry: Diamond Championship Rings that Made History
We can’t talk about NBA diamonds without highlighting the iconic championship rings. These rings have been around since 1947 and represent team history and victory while honoring coaches and players. Over time, they have evolved from simple symbols to elaborate pieces featuring diamonds and other gems, giving them an entirely new level of meaning and value.
In 2000, NBA legend Kobe Bryant helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to victory against the Indiana Pacers. The championship ring features 40 diamonds and hidden details symbolizing the team’s season record. The side of the ring features the phrase “Bling Bling,” coined by Shaquille O’Neal to describe his diamond jewelry collection, as well as this ring.
Shortly after winning the championship, Bryant had an exact replica of the ring made for his father, Joe Bryant. The replica was later sold at auction in 2024 for $927,000, making it the highest-selling NBA championship ring.
Another notable championship ring that goes down in history belongs to the 2019 Toronto Raptors. The team’s only championship ring features a total of 650 Canadian-mined diamonds, weighing 14 carats. The design showcases the Toronto skyline encrusted with 74 diamonds, representing the team’s regular-season and postseason wins. “The Six” is symbolized by six round diamonds above Scotiabank Arena, along with personalized engravings unique to each player. The ring also includes the largest single diamond in any professional championship ring – a massive 1.25-carat diamond featured in the Larry O’Brien trophy.
