Basketball prodigy Gradey Dick effortlessly stood out among his peers at the NBA draft, thanks to his attention-grabbing red sequined suit inspired by ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Despite being selected as the No.13 pick by the Toronto Raptors, it was Dick’s striking outfit that stole the spotlight. He explained that his Kansas roots and the iconic red slippers of Dorothy from the movie had motivated his fashion choice. With a sense of lightheartedness, Dick expressed that wearing the extravagant suit was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and embraced his unique style.
Having decided to forgo his remaining college eligibility, the 6’8″ Dick left Kansas after his freshman season to pursue his NBA career. His mother, Carmen, had also had an impressive basketball career at Iowa State University in the 1980s. Known for his shooting skills, Dick made a significant impact during his time with the Jayhawks, averaging 14.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He even set a freshman record at the University of Kansas with 83 three-point field goals.
Off the court, Dick gained recognition for his charismatic personality and social media presence, particularly on TikTok, where he amassed over 170,000 followers. His rising popularity even caught the attention of celebrities like Canadian rapper Drake, a devoted Toronto Raptors fan, who followed him on Instagram. In good humor, Dick expressed his desire for Drake to wear his jersey.
However, amidst the attention garnered by his off-court persona, Dick remained focused on making an immediate impact with his new team, the Raptors, who did not qualify for the NBA playoffs in the previous season. Reflecting on their championship win in 2019, the first by a team outside the US, Dick expressed his excitement about joining the organization and highlighted the city and its people as incredible. He was determined to contribute to the team and excel in the role assigned to him by the coach.