13 Best Bald NBA Players of All Time

Whether due to genetics, personal preference, or just comfort, many basketball and NBA players worldwide opt to shave their heads bald.  While there is no scientific evidence pointing to baldness as a deciding factor in basketball greatness, many of the greatest players to play the game have done so with a shaved head.

And while there is no cure for baldness, basketball and NBA players have been shaving their heads since the inception of the game.  And if you’re wondering who are some of the best bald NBA players of all time, then look no further!

Michael Jordan

Any conversation surrounding the greatest NBA players of all time will invariably include Michael Jordan, the reigning greatest basketball player of all time.  And while Jordan may be better known for his buzzer beaters, NBA Finals championship wins, and otherworldly dunks, Jordan sported the bald look long before it was considered cool.

In fact, not only is Michael Jordan the best bald NBA player of all time, but we would even hazard a guess that he is the best bald athlete to ever play any sport. 

Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA Draft, Jordan has a long list of accomplishments and accolades to his basketball resume.  A 6-time NBA champion, 6-time NBA Finals MVP, 5-time NBA Most Valuable Player, 14-time NBA All-Star, to name just a few.

Kobe Bryant

Many conversations surrounding the all-time greatest NBA players will argue who comes after Michael Jordan.  And although our list is a bit more specific, only looking at the best bald NBA players of all time, we would still include Kobe Bryant as second to only Jordan.

The late NBA superstar was the epitome of basketball greatness for a generation of basketball fans.  With an internal fire and drive unlike any other athlete, Bryant strove to greatness through sheer will and determination, quipping, “everything negative – pressure, challenges – are all an opportunity for me to rise.”

And although Bryant was taken from us too early, his style of play, determination, and mamba mentality continue to have a profound effect on both the NBA and basketball players across the globe to this day.  An inspiration and role model for so many, Bryant in our books is one of the best NBA players of all time.

Shaquille O’Neal

One of the best big men to ever play the game, Shaquille O’Neal brought his own style to the game of basketball.  A force to reckon with, O’Neal always made his presence known, whether on or off the court.  Sporting his iconic shaved head, Shaq can be seen in older footage slamming the basketball through the rim with full force, regardless of who was defending him.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

A third great Laker on this list, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar originally entered the NBA with a head full of hair.  Dominating the NBA with his iconic sky hook, Abdul-Jabbar would go on to win six NBA championships, six Most Valuable Player awards, and a whopping 19 All-Star team selections.

Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett was one of the most prolific basketball players of all time.  With the size of a power forward, skills of a point guard, and tenacity unlike any other, Garnett made a name for himself with the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Coming into the NBA straight from high school, he would lead the Timberwolves to the playoffs in eight of the 14 seasons he played with them.  And although he was never able to bring home a championship to the Timberwolves, he would get himself one during his time with the Boston Celtics.

Charles Barkley

Better known in this era for his time on TNT, Barkley has an outspoken personality and demeanor.  But during his time in the NBA, Barkley was an aggressive rebounder, defender, and scorer.  He was dominant down low, despite his smaller stature, which he made up for with sheer will and effort.

Chris Paul

Whether you’ve seen him playing for the Phoenix Suns or in one of his State Farm commercials, Chris Paul has been known to be able to do it all.  A slick passer, sharpshooter, and all-around general on the court, Paul exudes confidence both on and off the court.  He is also one of the best off-the-ball shooters, being able to quickly receive and release the ball, confounding even some of the best defenses in the league.

Jason Kidd

Jason Kidd was one of the most electric passers in NBA history.  With an almost unreal basketball IQ, Kidd would wear out his opponents with his fast transitions on the court and quick passes to teammates for the easy shot or high-flying dunk.  Jason Kidd would lead the then New Jersey Nets to multiple NBA Finals, though he was never able to bring the championship home.

Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce didn’t begin donning a bald head until later in his NBA career.  But he was always an electric scorer, being able to weave through multiple defenses and find the easy bucket.  And although many younger viewers may know Pierce better for his media appearances, us older players remember the days when the ball in Pierce’s hands caused anxiety and fear.

Vince Carter

If we were to judge NBA players based on their nicknames, then Vince Carter’s Vinsanity would definitely top our list.  A quick shooter, even quicker defender, Carter is perhaps best known for his high-flying, gravity defying dunks.  A crowd favorite, Carter would electrify home and away crowds with his superhuman like dunks, winning the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, which forever changed the Slam Dunk contest.

Reggie Miller

Again, many younger basketball fans don’t recall Reggie Miller as well as us older ones.  But Reggie Miller was the original Steph Curry, making the three-point shot cool before teams began to recognize its importance.  With dagger like precision from beyond the three-point line, Reggie Miller could seal the deal effectively and efficiently.

Tony Parker

Perhaps the best European guard to ever play in the NBA, Tony Parker dominated the court with his quickness, quick crossover, and an absolutely un-guardable tear-drop floater.  A great addition to the San Antonio Spurs, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan ran much of the West Coast division for nearly a decade.

Ray Allen

Ray Allen was an NBA player better situated for the current league.  An excellent three-point shooter, Allen would hit shot after shot with little effort, making the three-point line appear to be just another shot on the court.  He was always ready to take the next big shot and would make defenses pay for leaving him open.