10 NBA Players With Craziest Hairdos In League History

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Fans tune in to the NBA to watch the best players compete. Most of the time, the crossovers, athletic dunks and out-of-this-world shooting are the highlights. However, sometimes the players’ hairstyles catch their attention.

Most players use their hairstyles to express themselves. Some of the most iconic hairstyles include Julius Erving’s afro, Allen Iverson’s braids and Patrick Ewing’s flat-top fade.

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However, some players have pushed the boundaries of creativity and style. These players often entered the “bizarre” territory of NBA hairdos. These looks turned heads and caught the attention of fans and commentators, earning a spot in the league’s history.

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#1. Jimmy Bulter’s Dreadlocks

Jimmy Butler has had wild hairstyles in his career - Image Source: IMAGN — Jimmy Butler has had wild hairstyles in his career – Image Source: IMAGN

In July 2022, Jimmy Butler debuted his blond-tipped dreadlock extensions in an offseason workout video. He showed up for the Heat’s Media Day with the hairstyle, gaining attention. However, he removed the extensions before the regular season started.

The following Media Day in 2023, the six-time All-Star debuted his famous “emo” look. His hair covered one eye, and he had multiple facial piercings. Butler also had black nail polish.

Both hairdos became iconic, and fans are always excited to see what Butler has in store for Media Day.

#2. Chris Andersen’s Mohawk

Chris Andersen's mohawk became part of his identity - Image Source: IMAGN — Chris Andersen’s mohawk became part of his identity – Image Source: IMAGN

Former NBA player Chris Andersen had one of the biggest transformations. He entered the league with a clean-cut look, short hair and no tattoos. After serving his drug suspension from 2006 to 2008, he debuted his iconic mohawk in the 2008-09 season, along with extensive body ink.

He kept the mohawk during his time with the Miami Heat. However, he shaved it off in February 2014.

#3. Jeremy Lin’s Spiky Mohawk

Jeremy Lin's hairstyles had people talking - Image Source: IMAGN — Jeremy Lin’s hairstyles had people talking – Image Source: IMAGN

Former NBA star Jeremy Lin started the 2015-16 season with the Charlotte Hornets in style. Lin debuted a spiky mohawk on their opening night game against the Miami Heat.

It was a tall mohawk that accidentally poked former player Jerryd Bayless in the eye. Fortunately for other players, Lin switched to a slicked-back ponytail.

With the Brooklyn Nets, Lin turned heads when he debuted his dreadlocks in 2017. The dreadlocks had fans talking; even former Nets star Kenyon Martin criticized him for his hairstyle.

#4. Dennis Rodman’s Various Hair Colors

Dennis Rodman made it cool for NBA players to dye their hair - Image Source: IMAGN — Dennis Rodman made it cool for NBA players to dye their hair – Image Source: IMAGN

Former star Dennis Rodman first debuted his blonde hair when he was with the San Antonio Spurs in 1993. In a 2024 interview with the “Got Sole” podcast, the five-time champion explained that a random person inspired him to dye his hair.

“And I said, ‘Dude, I’m bored right now; I need to do something really cool’. And the next thing you know, this big Mexican with long black hair with a silver streak walks out of his salon, and he whistles,” he said.

After two hours, Rodman’s hair was blonde. Since then, the defensive forward has tried other colors and styles. He even paid tribute to his former Chicago Bulls co-star Scottie Pippen by dyeing No. 33 into his hair.

#5. Scot Pollard’s Blonde Mohawk

It took guts for Scot Pollard to have a blonde mohawk - Image Source: IMAGN — It took guts for Scot Pollard to have a blonde mohawk – Image Source: IMAGN

Scot Pollard debuted his mohawk during his college career in Kansas and brought it to the NBA. However, he tried something different when he dyed his hair blonde during the 2000–01 season with the Sacramento Kings. Pollard also had different hairdos when he played in the league.

Before he grew it out, one of his most distinctive hairstyles was a clean-shaven look. It defined his ‘Samurai Scot’ look.

#6. Elfrid Payton’s High-Rise Hairstyle

Elfrid Payton had to move on from his iconic hairstyle - Image Source: IMAGN — Elfrid Payton had to move on from his iconic hairstyle – Image Source: IMAGN

Elfrid Payton revealed during his rookie season with the Orlando Magic that he had a pact with his high school teammates. They agreed not to cut their hair until they had won the state championships. They lost in the semifinals, and Payton grew out his hair.

His hair grew forward, and it became a problem later in his NBA career. During a regular season game against the Brooklyn Nets in January 2018, his hair blocked his vision, leading to an airballed floater.

He cut his hair in the same season after being traded to the Phoenix Suns.

#7. Andrew Bynum’s Boondocks-Inspired Hair

Former NBA star Andrew Bynum didn’t play a game for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2012-13 season because of injuries. Still, he had time to try out different hairstyles during his one-year stint with the franchise. The craziest hairstyle Bynum tried was a prominent forward-brushed style.

In a 2012 interview with CSN, the one-time All-Star said this about his hairdo.

“I want it to grow forever, man. It’s going to come to a point in time where it’s not going to be growing.”

According to Bynum, his hairdo comes from a character named Slickback from the Boondocks cartoon.

#8. Ben Wallace’s Afro

Ben Wallace's afro became part of his on-court persona - Image Source: IMAGN — Ben Wallace’s afro became part of his on-court persona – Image Source: IMAGN

Former NBA star Ben Wallace debuted his iconic afro in his first season with the Detroit Pistons in 2000. His hairstyle became the cultural symbol for the franchise. Fans started the iconic phrase “Fear the Fro” during his prime years with the Pistons. They even started wearing fake afros in games.

During a 2019 interview with The Athletic, Wallace revealed that he initially wasn’t pleased with fans wearing fake afros.

“And then, more and more and more Afros started to pop up, and then it made me realize, ‘Dude, these fans really love you. They’re coming out and supporting you. Some want to be like you.’” Wallace said.

#9. Carlos Boozer’s Spray-On Hair

Carlos Boozer tried a new hair product - Image Source: IMAGN — Carlos Boozer tried a new hair product – Image Source: IMAGN

Former NBA star Carlos Boozer went viral during the 2011-12 season for his hair. Boozer had spray-on hair that looked like he had shoe polish on his head. During a 2016 interview, the two-time All-Star said he wanted to try a new hair product after being bald for several years.

“So I tried it, and he just made me look like shoe polish up there,” he said. “… I tried to shampoo that thing seven or eight times, man. … It happened at night, so I go to the shootaround the next day, and all my teammates were like, ‘Booz, what did you do?’”

Boozer never tried the hair product again.

#10. Drew Gooden’s Ducktail

Drew Gooden's ducktail gained attention - Image Source: IMAGN — Drew Gooden’s ducktail gained attention – Image Source: IMAGN

Former NBA player Drew Gooden had a shaved head with a single isolated patch of hair at the back, trailing down his neck. Gooden debuted the hairdo during the 2006-07 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Years later, he gave context about his ducktail.

“I think it made more headlines during that year because of the success we had as a team throughout that season,” Gooden said. “But I think it was the sole patch on the back of my head which was not really hair. It was kind of like a blend of neck hair and back hair.”

Gooden also credited Pollard for bringing his own style to the NBA through his various hairstyles.

Edited by Aziel Karthak

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