The surging trajectory of women’s professional basketball over the last several years is easily one of the most exciting movements in sports. And unless you’ve been entirely off the grid—or comatose—you too have likely witnessed the swelling energy surrounding the sport. (If either scenario applies to anyone reading, we’d like to be the first to welcome you to the conversation.)
On court, the athletes are as good as it gets, stuffing the stat sheets with high-level play on a night-in, night-out basis. Off-court is where things have really started to get interesting, though. Just as no two players’ games are alike, the same goes for their distinctive style profiles. With a melange of aesthetics and ensembles seen around the league, these prolific female hoopers have extended the hype past the hardwood and into the team tunnel.
Helping orchestrate timeless fits for some of the most notable names across men’s and women’s basketball, Courtney Mays has earned acclaim thanks to her discerning eye for fit and form. As a result, the tenured image architect stands as one of the leading voices powering the female hoops fashion renaissance. Likely your favorite pro’s favorite stylist, Mays brings an inimitable taste to her work, one that adapts seamlessly to players’ needs, producing game-ready looks tailored for each individual’s defined personality and preferred silhouette.
Ahead of this year’s women’s All-Star festivities hosted in Indianapolis, we partnered with Pinterest to connect with the renowned style consultant to build out a few of her favorite archetypes seen dominating the pregame tunnel walks throughout the season.
For someone constantly pushing sartorial boundaries and subverting expectations, Mays leans on the premier visual discovery engine for a creative spark. Dubbing it one of her “essential tools,” the savvy stylist sees Pinterest as a platform that turns ideation into intentionality. From shared boards to the casual inspo scroll, Mays can articulate her singular thought process into a universal visual language that seamlessly translates IRL.
Giving us insight into her process, Mays breaks down the vision behind her carefully curated mood boards, cracking the code to high fashion in hoops.
The High Maintenance Hooper
I see her as the unapologetic bombshell. Sexy, confident, and fearless. With every confident strut, a player like this is redefining societal ideas of what women in sport look like. The glam ritual is almost as intentional as her training routine. It’s the slick ponytail and the laid edges. It’s the mini skirt, knee-high boots, and the statement bag. To me, this player blurs sport and sex appeal.
A testament to the notion that strength and sensuality are not mutually exclusive, she embodies a new paradigm in sport: performance-driven yet unmistakably feminine.
If I were to outfit an athlete in this way, I’d try to lean heavily into their femininity, maybe even amplify it where I could. Our conversations would maintain a balance between style and glam references. I’m pulling micro skirts, dresses, oversized coats, and sky-high heels—let’s give them all the drama. We’re going unbothered, unfiltered, and impossible to ignore.
The Sharp Shooting Sartorialist
She’s the definition of the modern-day dandy, living at the intersection of masculine structure and feminine intention. Her entire aura exudes old-school elegance. I’m thinking maybe a signet ring here, a flash of a vintage watch there. She’s just the epitome of taste, less guided by trends and more by timelessness.
From double-breasted blazers and crisp suiting to pleated trousers, tailoring is her armor of choice. She exists at the intersection of masculine structure and delicate intention
This is the style sensibility that is very much in my wheelhouse. We’re calling in our tailors (and sometimes dry cleaners) to master each hem, sleeve, and stitch.
The Understated Urbane Uniformist
The understated icon. Every essential piece is in her repertoire. For this player, comfort and style are equally important; they are one and the same. Her wardrobe is as disciplined as her game, reminding everyone that style doesn’t have to be loud to be bold.
Her wardrobe is a master class in off-duty polish. Tonal, yet tasteful. Muted, yet magnetic. Her uniform of essentials is anything but basic.
Styling this athlete is about making cozy feel elevated. It’s about pairing the high with the low. Track pants with blazers. Turning hoodies and tees into a uniform. Oh, and we’re definitely using sneakers to complete every look.
The Streetwear Shapeshifter
Rules do not apply here. We’re witnessing the master of the mix—a stylistic chameleon. I think so often we encounter messages about what we can and cannot wear, and this archetype scoffs at expectations.
She represents the new guard of players who see style as an extension of self-expression, not a uniform. Through an eclectic mix of prints, textures, colors, and proportions, she celebrates individuality.
Here, I’d embrace the oversized looks with the player. We could experiment with denim choices. Maybe leverage the distressed look or play around with some baggy jorts. For accessories, I’m thinking of bandanas, pocket chains, vintage sunnies, and derbies paired with socks or a classic sneaker to complete her sartorial language. No fit is off limits here.
Head over to Highsnobiety’s Pinterest page to explore and learn more about Courtney’s favorite looks taking over the game.
