Why Does Every Player in the NCAA Tournament Have the Same Damn Haircut?

Complex Sport’s deep investigation into the college hoops trend.

Tar Heels Joel Berry II and Justin Jackson
Image via USA Today Sports/Bob Donnan

North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) and forward Justin Jackson (44)

Tar Heels Joel Berry II and Justin Jackson

Beyond the uniform of a fresh jersey and shorts, compression tights, branded socks, and (usually) Nikes, it seems there is one more important component to being game-ready for college basketball's big dance: the haircut.

Last year's national championship tilt between North Carolina and Villanova drew an average audience of 17.8 million viewers; that's a lot of people to potentially catch you slippin'. The lineup must be fresh. The waves must cause seasickness—if you're still rocking a low cut, that is. Because this season, a new style has swept the tourney. Everyone, and we mean everyone, is taking the court with this look. But from whence did this trend originate? Complex investigates.

First, let's start with some examples of the hairdo in question.

D.J. Wilson, Michigan

D.J. Wilson

Michigan's D.J. Wilson's hair is the textbook example. 

Here it is up close:

Tapered on the sides, wild and free at the top, this glorious mane could best be described as the "fro-hawk." You see, a mohawk is known for bald sides, with a more narrow swath on top. The fro-hawk allows for spillage, as the hair cascades over the tapered, or faded, perimeter.

Braian Angola-Rodas, Florida State

Braian Angola Rodas FSU

Gabe Devoe, Clemson & PJ Savoy, Florida State

Gabe Devoe Clemson & PJ Savoy FSU NCAA

Marques Bolden, Duke

Marques Bolden Duke

Lagerald Vick, Kansas and Jeffrey Carroll, Oklahoma State

Lagerald Vick, Kansas, and Jeffrey Carroll, Oklahoma State

Joel Berry II, North Carolina

Joel Berry II UNC Tar Heels

The truth is, though this look is everywhere, few people are fucking with UNC's Joel Berry II. It's thick, moisturized, and contains the perfect ratio of curl floppage to containment. Appreciate it head on:

 

We should acknowledge that Kanye West himself veered into Afro territory in his 808s and Heartbreak days, but he rode the wave and wiped out years ago. Nobody was following his lead with this:

kanye afro

No, the athlete who brought the tapered fro-hawk with beard to the masses is none other than...

Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr.

None of the NCAA youths have gone so far as to bleach their hair—the bite would be too obvious—but there's no denying OBJ's trademark style is often imitated. From the flowing tendrils to the expert-level fade to the lush beard, the man has fashioned himself into a new-age icon.

While a youngin' at LSU, Beckham rocked his bowl cuts and what not, but his time there coincided with a cultural phenomenon known as the natural hair movement. Black women began ditching their relaxers and straighteners in droves, embracing the way their hair naturally grows. Slowly, their male counterparts began letting go of their obsessions with the low cut Caesers with the deep waves, and they joined the movement, too. 

Thanks to his growing visibility, the Giants' star helped normalize the look for the masses—hell, he's even selling Head & Shoulders with it.

View this video on YouTube

youtube.com

Now as you dive into March Madness and notice the hairstyle not-so-coincidentally sweeping the tourney, you'll know where it all stems from. Case solved.

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