Basketball Star and Designer Ian Mahinmi on What He Wears for Kicks

Ian Mahinmi

Ian Mahinmi in the lobby of the new Riggs Washington DC

While NBA post-game press conferences have begun to feel like video catwalks, a few of the roundball style gods stand out. Ian Mahinmi is one. He has his own successful fashion line, French Deal, the equivalent of a 360 dunk in the lane with traffic. Fans of his brand, which French-born Mahinmi launched with stylist Steeven Kodjia and former European soccer star Ousmane Dabo, include actors and even rapper Young Jeezy, who sported a French Deal look at New York Fashion Week. “Growing up, I was always into fashion,” says the nearly 7-foot player and Wizards center. And after his playing days are done? “I have options,” he says, rubbing the sleeve of a vibrant blue jacket and grinning.

Outside of my wife and daughters, the greatest love of my life is fashion.

For kicks, I always wear my dashiki.

Valentino is my favorite shoe designer.

My three grooming essentials are a hair sponge, a dopp bag and a subtle, neutral fragrance.

The best advice I ever got was treat others the way you would want to be treated.

My life story in four words is—actually, only one is needed: blessed.