When Greg Chait was a kid growing up in Arizona, basketball was all the rage. “Michael Jordan was at his height, which left a big impression on my life,” recalled the Elder Statesman designer. “You had the Phoenix Suns with Charles Barkley, but Jordan was arguably the most famous person in the world. He was like a rock star — the Michael Jackson of sports.”

Fast forward three decades, and Chait’s fandom has led him to a multi-year business partnership with the NBA. Kicking off the The Elder Statesman x NBA collaboration is a collection of cashmere sweaters, sweatshirts, T-shirts, scarves, and hats aimed at both NBA stars and their devoted fan base. The lux team gear is now available in stores and online at Barneys New York as well as at The Elder Statesman. Prices range from $420 for hats to $1,620 for heavy knit sweaters.

Like many good pairings, the seed of this union had unexpected beginnings: the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. At the time, Chait took note that Canadian brand, Roots, had crafted custom-made jackets for the Jamaican bobsled team. More than two decades later, that inspiration was reignited when Chait coincidentally met up with the brand’s founders. “It got me thinking, ‘why couldn’t this be a possibility?’” he said of bridging the gap between fashion and sports.

While Chait grew up as a fan of the Phoenix Suns, he now says that he is a fan of the entire NBA. “ Every season has its own dramas and stories,” he explained. “These are the best athletes in the world. They are on top of their game, and it’s an elegant game.”

Now, the only question is: Will Chait be sitting court side? “I hope so,” he said. “The NBA has been really awesome to work with.”