10 Players Rocking Braids on the Court

Allen Iverson may be the G.O.A.T. when it comes to on-court hairstyles, but he also paved a path forward for today’s crop of NBA players. Credit is shared with Iverson’s pal and one-time team member Carmelo Anthony, who also helped inspire new generations of NBA style. With that in mind, here are our top 10 basketball players with braids and current NBA players with cornrows.

Markelle Fultz

While his hairstyle has shifted a bit over the past few years, the 6-foot-3-inch Orlando point guard keeps a head full of locs with a faded undercut for a look that’s as sweet as his playing style.

Robert Covington

He’s gone with a mohawk, a man bun and plenty of cornrows. No matter his hairstyle or his team, the current Clippers small forward knows how to make a big impact on the court with his cuts.

DeAndre Jordan

The 76ers player is reportedly one of the nicest in the NBA. Over the past few seasons, he’s sported dreadlocks past his shoulders, as well as shorter braids that — along with his beard — give him a serious-looking on-court persona.

Derrick Rose

The Knicks point guard not only keeps opponents on their toes, but his NBA hairstyles are also legendary. Whether he’s rocking a curly fade, high-top Afro, effortlessly cool interlocking braids or shorter dreads, Rose knows what’s up.

Kawhi Leonard

We love some Kawhi. While he cut his braids a few seasons ago, causing a bit of a stir, his innovative braid styles have largely remained a constant on court. His most noticeable style, by the way, mimicked the look of a menorah.

Ja Morant

Ja Morant knows how to have fun. Case in point: his hairstyles. You can often catch him with some colorful locks in his free-form loc styles. One of Morant’s 2020 hairstyles caught flack as fans deemed him a “jumping pineapple,” owing to the ponytail bouncing atop his head. Morant, fortunately, laughed it off.

JaVale McGee

Is he the king of ridiculous haircuts? That’s for fans to decide. In addition to beefing with Shaq, McGee made headlines in 2017 with his shaved head and three-braid rattail. We prefer him with a fade and low-top Afro, ourselves.

Mike Conley Jr.

He’s gone from long hair to a buzz to short dreads and long braids in a bun. No matter his hairstyle, though, the Jazz point guard brings style and grace to the sport.

James Johnson

The Nets forward is never afraid to mix it up. Check out looks that include cornrows, blond dreadlocks in a ponytail and a faux hawk.

Jimmy Butler

This smooth operator traditionally rocks locs atop his head with a low skin fade on the sides. And whether he’s sporting zigzag-style braids, a freestyle fade or a box cut, we stan Jimmy Butler’s looks.

While this current crop of basketball players with dreads exudes talent on the court, they also nail it with style. Check out our latest read on some of the most anticipated fits and kicks of this NBA season.