Best NBA Players with Dreads
The NBA is filled with players with interesting, unique, and exuberant hairstyles. From playing with long hair to the best bald players, NBA players take their appearances, and their hairstyles, seriously. But perhaps no hairstyle is more ubiquitous in the NBA then the dreadlock, or dreads.
Below, we are going to review and take a look at the best NBA players with dreads. These players have perfected the dreads and wear them proudly day-in and day-out. And while the hairstyle may be difficult to pull-off, and perhaps even more difficult to maintain, these NBA superstars do so with both grace and elegance.
What are Dreadlocks?
From Bob Marley to Lenny Kravitz to Zach Dela Rocha, dreadlocks have been popularized by musicians worldwide and have become a staple in the music industry. Dreadlocks, or simple dreads or locs, are rope-like strands of hair which are formed by locking or braiding the hair together.
While the exact history of dreadlocks is unknown, some of the earliest depictions of dreadlocks dates back to 1500 BCE in modern day Santorini, Greece. In addition, mummified remains of Egyptians with locked wigs have been discovered, and recovered, from archaeological sites.
And while the history of the term dreadlock is somewhat unclear, many believe the word originated from Rastafarians, who believe the hairstyle represents a biblical hairstyle worn as a symbol of devotion by the Nazirites.
Why do so Many NBA Players Have Dreadlocks?
While it is difficult to assume to know just why so many NBA players opt for dreadlocks, there are a few theories which help to explain the rather recent phenomenon. Perhaps, above-all-else, many NBA players may opt for dreadlocks as a means to keep their hair from their face, which may interfere with their play.
In addition, for many NBA players, dreadlocks represent an acceptance, and a matter of pride, in their history and culture. Dreadlocks are a hairstyle that is uniquely African American and by accepting, and presenting, their hairstyle as such, these players are able to show a level of pride to their ancestorial culture and history.
And lastly, for many players, dreadlocks are simply cool and a fashion statement. Difficult to prepare and maintain, these players may simply want to showcase their hair in a style that is unique and distinct.
Dreadlock Controversy in the NBA
While there are no rules or regulations in the NBA which prohibit dreadlocks as a hairstyle, there has been one recent controversy regarding the hairstyle. In 2017, former NBA player Kenyon Martin criticized then Brooklyn Nets player Jeremy Lin regarding his dreadlocks.
In a now deleted Instagram video, Martin stated:
“Do I need to remind this … boy that his last name (is) Lin? Like, come on, let’s stop this. These people. There is no way possible he would’ve made it on one of our teams with that (expletive) going on, on his head. Somebody really needs to tell him, like (alright), we get it. We get it, you want to be black. We get it, but the last name is Lin.”
As the post gained attention, Martin continued, stating:
“That man (is) grown. That man can rock whatever hairstyle he want to rock. That don’t mean I have to like it or agree with it,” he said. “Second of all, I’m grown. I can say whatever I want to say it about. It ain’t about race. It ain’t about none of that. Grow up, people, it was a joke, but I don’t like it. I don’t agree with it, so it is what it is.”
Later, on Twitter, Jeremy Lin responded with the following:
“Hey man, it’s all good. You definitely don’t have to like my hair and (are) definitely entitled to your opinion,” he wrote. “Actually I (am) legit grateful (for) you sharing it (to be honest). At the end of the day, I appreciate that I have dreads and you have Chinese tattoos (because) I think it’s a sign of respect.
And I think as minorities, the more that we appreciate each other’s cultures, the more we influence mainstream society. Thanks for everything you did for the Nets and hoops … had your poster up on my wall growing up.”
Eventually, Kenyon Martin would reach out to Jeremy Lin to sort the controversy over. Lin stated:
“It was a great conversation. I think things were blown out of proportion, taken a little out of context as well. But me and him had a discussion where he was extremely courteous.
Like, I’m actually impressed with how he handled everything. I’m thankful for the conversation we had, and I’m also sorry for some of the things he and his son kind of had to deal with in the aftermath [with fans writing insensitive comments on their social media page].”
Kenyon Martin would add:
“Wasn’t really saying it to him. I just made a blanket statement, which I probably should’ve reached out to him. But the man has dreadlocks, and I thought it was hilarious. Nothing more, nothing less than I thought it was hilarious. I made a statement … wording probably was bad that I used, saying that he was trying to be black. Wasn’t my intention to be racist or anything like that.
“It was meant to be a joke that got out of control. That’s all,” Martin added. “If I ruffled Jeremy Lin’s feathers or if I made him feel [that] way, I apologize, brother … I’m a grown man, and I can admit when I’m wrong. When things get out of control, I can admit when I was wrong, and my wording was bad.”
Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson, nicknamed AI and The Answer, played 14 seasons in the NBA. A prolific scorer, Iverson played both the shooting and point guard positions. He won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1997 and was an 11-time NBA All-Star, won the All-Star Game MVP award in both 2001 and 2005, and was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2001. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace was a former NBA player and is a current basketball executive. He is regarded as one of the best undrafted NBA players in the history of the league. Wallace attended both Cuyahoga Community College and Virginia Union University and played for the Washington Bullets/Wizards, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Wallace won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times. And in his nine seasons with the Detroit Pistons, he would make two NBA Finals appearances and win a championship with the team in 2004. The Pistons retired his jersey number in 2016 and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
Michael Beasley
Michael Paul Beasley Jr. is an American professional basketball player who last played for Cangrejeros de Santurce of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). He played college basketball for Kansas State University for one year before declaring for the NBA draft in 2008. Beasley was the 2nd pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and was selected by the Miami Heat. He is regarded as one of the best freshman college basketball players of the 2000s. Though he is ambidextrous, he shoots left-handed.
Ja Morant
Temetrius Jamel “Ja” Morant is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies. He played college basketball for the Murray State Racers, where he was a consensus first-team All-American as a sophomore in 2019.
He was selected by the Grizzlies with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft and named the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2020. Morant was named to his first NBA All Star Game in 2022 as a starter.
Morant was only lightly recruited by NCAA Division I programs and unranked by recruiting services, despite having been named All-Region Most Valuable Player three times and earning All-State honors at Crestwood High School in Sumter, South Carolina.
Chris Bosh
Christopher Wesson Bosh is an American former professional basketball player. A Texas Mr. Basketball in high school, he played one season of college basketball for Georgia Tech before declaring for the 2003 NBA draft. Bosh was selected fourth overall by the Toronto Raptors.
While at Toronto, Bosh became a five-time NBA All-Star, was named to the All-NBA Second Team once, played for the U.S. national team. In the 2006–07 season, Bosh led the Raptors to their first playoff appearance in five years and their first-ever division title. He left Toronto in 2010 as the franchise’s all-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, and minutes played.
In 2010, after seven seasons with the Raptors, Bosh entered into a sign-and-trade deal whereby he was traded to the Miami Heat. In Miami, he joined fellow stars Dwyane Wade and LeBron James; the trio became known as the Big Three.
Bosh spent the second half of his career with Miami, appearing in the NBA Finals each year from 2011 to 2014 and winning NBA titles in 2012 and 2013. He made the NBA All-Star team every year during his time in Miami.