Shooting Hoops for Culture: NBA Star Klay Thompson Dons Barong at Esquire Dinner

A stud on and off the court.

On Thursday, August 31, National Basketball Association Star Klay Thompson was his usual cool self for the Esquire Apartment dinner. He was seen wearing a Barong Tagalog (another Pinoy Pride moment, of course). The Golden State Warriors shooting guard was joined by teammate and fellow Anta Ambassador Kevon Looney at Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar in Quezon City. They were in town for their Asia tour.

“It looks wonderful. And it feels even better, too,” Thompson told us.

The Story Behind Klay Thompson’s Esquire Apartment Drip

The other half of the Splash Brothers was feeling and looking pretty good in his custom-made Barong Tagalog, which was designed by Bel Savosa and SALVO Tailors.

“Back in the day, the Barong Tagalog was typically made from Plain Piña Jusi fabric. However, as I traveled across our beautiful country in preparation for this event, I couldn’t help but notice that most of the Barongs here in the Philippines had so much embroidery designs. For this one, I wanted something simple yet elegant,” Salvosa said.

The desinger added: “As for Klay Thompson, I embarked on a journey to create a masterpiece that would reflect the epitome of luxury and artistry. The design I selected for him is known as ‘Luxury Full Embroidery,’ featuring the graceful Sampaguita Petals. These petals symbolize the National Flower of the Philippines, an homage to the rich cultural heritage that this Barong represents.”

Yes, the drip went hard. Check out the photos here:

PHOTO BY CYRIAN AGUJO.

We Can’t Forget About Kevon Looney

Last Playoffs was a hell of a coming-out party for Kevon Looney.

Sure, he’s best known for the double-doubles and scrappy interior play, but the Golden State Warriors Center is known to rock a proper fit off the court, too, from time to time. Here, he’s seen sporting a Barong Tagalog, mind you. There’s a version of this where he paired it with some shorts but that’s another story (Did somebody say, fashion?).

Salvosa, who also did Looney’s Barong’s design, added: “I couldn’t help but notice that most of the Barongs here in the Philippines had so much embroidery designs. For this one, I wanted something simple yet elegant, especially for Kevon Looney. This minimalist approach was a deliberate choice, crafting a Barong that would set him apart from the rest while maintaining an air of sophistication. I named it the ‘Luxury Subtle Piña Barong,’ a testament to its minimalist essence.”

PHOTO BY CYRIAN AGUJO.