25 Basketball Players With Long Hair

Regardless of gender, hair is part of our personality and style, an extension of the image we want to project and – in the case of men – a sign of individuality. Long hair can make a man incredibly attractive…especially if he is fit, has well-groomed facial hair, and sports an outstanding dressing style. And what do you think about basketball players with long hair?

Well, some well-placed tattoos could also be added to the attractiveness mix. The idea is that many NBA players meet the criteria, managing to stand out not only for their impressive skills on the court but also for their cool hairstyles. Let’s take a look at 25 basketball players who have become style icons when it comes to hairstyles. 

Basketball Players With Long Hair

1. Steven Adams

Steven Adams, su historia. - Basket Acceso Total

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Age: 28

Height: 6’11″

Teams: Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies 

Position: Centre

Open way – or should we say waves? – for Steven Adams. You can blame it on his long hair, his tattoos, his fit body, or his facial hair, but the truth is the resemblance with Aquaman is striking! You know you have made the right decision when fans compare you with one of the sexiest men alive: Jason Momoa!

2. Kelly Olynyk

Kelly Olynyk

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Age: 30

Height: 6’11″

Teams: Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons

Position: Power forward/Centre

There is a story behind Kelly Olynyk’s long hair: he hasn’t had his hair cut ever since he moved to the U.S.! Even if he is currently unsure whether he will have his hair cut or not, if he decides to give up his lion’s mane it will more than likely happen in a Canadian salon. And there’s more to the story. Olynyk admits that he was inspired to wear a hairband by Sergio Ramos, a famous Spanish football player. According to an interview for the Basketball Insiders, Olynyk owns around 10 hair bands that he keeps in his locker. 

3. Robin Lopez

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Age: 33

Height: 7’0″

Teams: Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic

Position: Centre

Even though some may find them careless and somewhat wild, the truth is Robin Lope’s curls have been repeatedly featured in tabloids, celebrity magazines, hairstyles tutorials, etc. His haircut seems to be a perfect match for his vibrant and charismatic personality. Plus, it makes it easier for fans to differentiate him from his twin brother, Brook Lopez.

It’s not unusual for fans to compare him to Sideshow Rob from The Simpsons. Judge for yourselves:

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4. DeAndre Jordan

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Age: 33

Height: 6’11″

Teams: Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers

Position: Centre

This world-class basketball player is pure force on the court. But he stands out for more than that: his eye-catching tattoos, his signature dreadlocks, and his charming personality. Not to mention his sense of humour. Check out this conversation on Instagram between Jimmy Butler and DeAndre. The topic: haircuts. Priceless! 

5. Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose podría volver tras el parón del All-Star

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Age: 33

Height: 6’2″

Teams: Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks

Position: Point guard

Throughout his NBA career, Derrick Rose has sported numerous hairstyles: curly fade, geometric fade, casual afro with facial hair, high top afro, high and long afro, spiky afro, dreadlocks, or short clean. But it seems that he certainly likes to experiment with his dreadlocks. Take a look at some of his best dread hairstyles:

Timberwolves' Rose has surgery to remove bone chips from elbow |  theScore.com

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Basketball Players With Long Hair

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6. Ja Morant

Ja Morant Estadísticas, Noticias, Biografía | ESPNDeportes

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Age: 22

Height: 6’3″

Teams: Memphis Grizzlies

Position: Point guard

Ja Morant is sporting an eye-catching hairdo called “free form dreadlocks”. What makes this hairstyle even more eye-catching is Ja’s decision to add various colours to his dreads. However, in 2022, during a match against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ja wore a hilarious ponytail.

Basketball Players With Long Hair

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This look earned him hilarious remarks from fans who didn’t hesitate to compare him to a jumping pineapple (https://twitter.com/Dascenzo/status/1338679408429850624 or https://twitter.com/acexventu/status/1338671670102528001 ) As he later on admitted, he had to opt for that look because he had lost 2 bobby pins during the match and his hair was in his face, annoying him. Sometimes style comes with a price, isn’t that so?

7. JaVale McGee

Lakers News: JaVale McGee wrote and produced a song for Justin Bieber —  yes, actually. - Silver Screen and Roll

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Age: 34

Height: 7’0″

Teams: Washington Wizards, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns

Position: Centre

This guy is definitely not afraid of controversy and unconventional hairstyles. Throughout his career, JaVale McGee has sported various hairstyles, including braided rat tails or top up dreadlocks. However, combining a short cut with a long patch of hair on the neck does require a certain degree of bravery. See for yourselves: 

Basketball Players With Long Hair

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8. Robert Covington

Robert Covington Estadísticas, Noticias, Biografía | ESPNDeportes

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Age: 31

Height: 6’7″

Teams: Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers

Position: Small forward / Power forward

Over the years, Robert Covington has been experimenting with a wide variety of hairstyles, including the Mohawk, braids, or top up fancy dreadlocks. Check out this wild haircut!

Basketball Players With Long Hair

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9. Richaun Holmes

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Age: 28

Height: 6’10″

Teams: Philadelphia 76ers, Delaware 87ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings

Position: Power forward/Centre 

Just like most of his fellow NBA stars, it looks like Richaun Holmes loves to experiment with haircuts as well. It’s always a pleasure for the eye to witness his transition from clear short cuts to afro top up or fancy braids like these ones: 

Basketball Players With Long Hair

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10. Andrei Kirilenko

Andrei Kirilenko: Una estrella dentro y fuera de la cancha - La Opinión de  Málaga

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Age: 40

Height: 6′ 9″

Position: Power forward / Small forward

Teams: Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets

Sometimes, a man’s hair can turn into his worst aesthetic enemy. And this is exactly what happened to Andrei Kirilenko. Let’s just say that Andrei is the master of ugly hairstyles. And long hair is not the ideal complement to his naturally ugly facial features. 

11. Joakim Noah

Basketball Players With Long Hair

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Age: 36

Height: 6′ 11″

Position: Centre

Teams: Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Westchester Knicks, Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers

Joakim Noah is a strong candidate for the ‘Ugliest NBA Player’ award. And part of the reasons why he seems to make it on virtually any ‘Ugliest NBA Player’ list is his careless hairstyle and deficient grooming habits. 

12. Nerlens Noel

Nerlens Noel unhappy with 76ers roster situation - CelticsBlog

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Age: 27

Height: 6’11″

Teams: Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks

Position: Centre

Nerlens Noel used to sport a much-appraised high top fade haircut, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air type of mane. However, Noel is not a stranger to dreadlocks either! 

Basketball Players With Long Hair

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13. Alize Johnson

Alize Johnson sneakers

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Age: 25

Height: 6’8″

Teams: Indiana Pacers, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Raptors 905, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards

Position: Power forward / Small forward

Alize Johnson certainly sports a unique hairstyle. Unfortunately for him, some fans have been quick to spot certain resemblances with Lamar Jackson, the NFL superstar. The bone of contention? Obviously, haircuts. 

Basketball Players With Long Hair

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This caused Alize to consider going bald… Alize, please take our word on it: it’s not a wise decision!

14. Markelle Fultz

Markelle Fultz Practices with Orlando Magic in L.A., Continues to Make  Progress in Rehab | Orlando Magic

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Age: 23

Height: 6’3″

Teams: Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic

Position: Point guard / Shooting guard

Markelle Fultz is definitely a trend-setting hair fashionista. Over the years, Markelle has experimented with many fancy haircuts, including high top fade haircuts or dreadlocks. Keep surprising us, Markelle!

15. Anderson Varejao

Basketball Players With Long Hair

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Age: 39

Height: 6’11″

Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: Centre / Power forward

These wild curls definitely deserve a mention on our list! While fans have learned how to cope with his bouncy curls, there is an image that we would like to forget…and forgive:

Anderson Varejao archivos - el gurú del basket

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16. Kurt Rambis

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Age: 63

Height: 6′ 8″

Position: Power forward

Teams: Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings

Kurt Rambis is an NBA legend, that’s for sure. But it’s a nerdy-looking legend! Those glasses, combined with an unfortunate long haircut, would push anyone up the rankings for the Ugliest NBA Player award. Sorry, Kurt!

17. Kawhi Leonard

Basketball Players With Long Hair

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Age: 30

Height: 6’7″

Teams: San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers

Position: Small forward

Is Kawhi Leonard the uncrowned NBA king of cornrows? More than likely he is. Back in December 2020, fans couldn’t help noticing that Kawhi’s braids looked like … a menorah! 

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18. Luke Babbitt

Luke Babbitt Basketball Players With Long Hair

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Age: 32

Height: 6’9″

Teams: Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks

Position: Small forward / Power forward

Back in 2015, Luke Babbitt’s fans witnessed a terrible mistake: Luke’s flowing locks were gone! 

Luke Babbitt Highlights | Luke Babbitt Video Highlights

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Was Luke’s performance on the court affected by this unusual haircut? Fans sustain that there is power and prowess in those locks!

19. Luis Scola

Luis Scola Estadísticas, Noticias, Basketball Players With Long Hair

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Age: 41

Height: 6′ 9″

Position: Power forward

Teams: Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets

There was a time when Luis Scola used to sport long hair. Given his irregular facial traits, long hair was just not the right choice. Take a look at him sporting a short cut and compare:

Luis Scola (@LScola4) / Twitter

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20. Elfrid Payton

Pelicans PG & UL Alum Elfrid Payton's ESPN1420 Interview [Audio]

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Age: 27

Height: 6’3″

Teams: Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks

Position: Point guard

Now, this is one of the weirdest haircuts the NBA has ever witnessed! Forgive our ignorance, Elfrid, but which was the purpose? Protect you from the sun? From the rain?

21. Ricky Rubio

Playoffs NBA: Palo para Ricky Rubio

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Age: 31

Height: 6’2″

Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers

Position: Point guard

Ricky Rubio gave up his short haircut and replaced it with longer locks that actually look quite nice! Looks like a good choice for an active man who doesn’t want to spend too much time styling his hair. 

22. Collin Sexton

Collin Sexton poses potential Knicks risk: 'Stubborn'

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Age: 23

Height: 6’1″

Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers

Position: Shooting guard / Point guard

A lion’s mane and a rat tail… we are not sure it is a good combination. But Collin Sexton’s haircut certainly makes him stand out! Probably not for good reasons, though. 

23. James Johnson

Timberwolves' James Johnson traded to Thunder - TalkBasket.net

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Age: 34

Height: 6’7″

Teams: Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn Nets

Position: Small forward / Power forward

James Johnson is the undisputed master of variety. Over a relatively short period of time he has been experimenting with numerous hairstyles, including faux-hawk, clean-shaven, cornrows, or dreadlocks. If he feels that a blonde dreadlocks ponytail is the right hairdo, who are we to say no to a black belt in karate? 

24. Jonathan Isaac

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Age: 24

Height: 6’11″

Teams: Orlando Magic

Position: Small forward / Power forward

Spiky and high-rising, Jonathan Isaac’s hairstyle is certainly unique and eye-catching. Will the height of his hair keep rising making him look even taller?

25. Nenê

Nene Estadísticas, Noticias, Basketball Players With Long Hair

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Age: 39

Height: 6’11″

Teams: Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets

Position: Centre / Power forward

Nenê is the living example that a man can grow old and keep being hot! Nenê doesn’t hesitate to let his long hair and beard turn grey, adding a touch of sophistication to his outlook.

If you liked this listicle of basketball players with long hair check out our other sporty tells here.

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