The Top 10 NBA Beards of 2024: Has Anyone Dethroned Harden?

If you’re a hardcore NBA fan, you may have noticed an uptick in the number of players that sport extra long beards these days. 

Although playing with a beard seems like it would be rather hot and uncomfortable, lots of players choose to grow one as a fashion statement while on the court.

In this post, we’ll list the top 10 beards around the league. The question is… can anyone dethrone The Beard?

 

The Top 10 NBA Beards

10. Steven Adams

Source: USA Today Sports

Adams is a 6-11, 265-pound center who currently plays for the Memphis Grizzlies. “Aquaman” played college ball at Pittsburgh and has been in the NBA since 2013. For his career, he is averaging 9.3 points per game and 7.9 rebounds per game.

So when did this big man start growing his thick beard? Adams said he quit going to the barber during his second season in the NBA (2014-15) because it cost him $60 per month to cut his hair and beard.

The funny thing is Adams was clean-shaven during his rookie year and his college days at Pitt.

9. Jaylen Brown

Brown is a 6-6, 223-pound shooting guard and small forward for the Boston Celtics. The former Cal Golden Bear has been in the league since 2016 when the Celtics took him with the third overall pick in the draft. Brown is having a solid 2021-22 season, as he’s averaging 23.2 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game.

Do you know what’s also impressive about Brown? He’s got some killer facial hair!

Brown sported a beard off and on during his college days at Cal, but he’s kept a thorough beard for most of his NBA career.

8. Fred VanVleet

VanVleet made his first All-Star team this year and we think he deserves a spot on the All-Beard team as well. The 6-1 197-pound point guard has been with the Toronto Raptors his entire NBA career. VanVleet is currently averaging 21.4 points per game and 6.9 assists per game.

As for VanVleet’s facial hair, he tends to go back and forth between a goatee and a full-blown beard. He first started experimenting with a goatee during his college days at Wichita State.

VanVleet’s career looks to be on the rise, as he is only 28 years old and improving every year.

7. Kyrie Irving

Source: USA Sports Today

We haven’t seen Irving play very often this year, since his vaccination status and New York’s strict laws have regulated him to only road games for the Brooklyn Nets. However, the 6-2 195-pounder is one of the best point guards in the league. The Cleveland Cavs made Irving the first overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

The 7-time All-Star also has one of the best beards in the game. Irving was clean-shaven during his time at Duke University under Coach K. He started experimenting with a small goatee during his second NBA season in 2012-13 and his facial hair has increased quite a bit since then.

6. DeAndre Jordan

Source: USA Today Sports

Jordan is a 33-year old NBA veteran who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. He is currently in his 14th NBA season and has also spent time with the Clippers, Mavericks, Knicks, and Nets. Jordan made the All-Star team in 2016-17.

Jordan went with the clean-shaven look while at Texas A&M and during his first few years with the Clippers. He’s switched between a goatee and a full beard since around 2010 or so.

5. LeBron James

We just had to put King James on this list. The 6-9 250-pound future Hall of Famer came into the league right out of high school as a baby-faced 19-year old. James has been selected to 18 straight All-Star teams and remains the most dominant player on the planet, even at 37 years of age.

LBJ’s beard game started slowly in 2004 with a small goatee. He upped his beard game during his 2010 interview called “The Decision”. James has gone with the full-bearded look since 2016 and it’s evolved into one of the game’s best.

4. Patty Mills

Mills was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft. The 6-1 180 pound point guard has played for the Blazers, Spurs, and Nets. Mills was born in Australia and he’s currently having his best-ever season from a scoring standpoint.

Mills had a little bit of scruff on his face during his first few years in the league. He even had a bald head and face for a while in San Antonio. These days, though, Mills sports some incredibly long hair, both on his head and his face.

3. Andre Drummond

Drummond came into the league in 2012 when the Detroit Pistons selected him with the ninth overall pick in the draft.

At 6-10 and 279 pounds, Drummond can be a nightmare to defend down low on the block. The former UConn star has made two NBA All-Star teams and is currently a member of the Brooklyn Nets.

Drummond has always had some amount of facial hair. He had a clean-looking goatee in college and he now has one of the top NBA beards.

2. Anthony Davis

Source: USA TODAY Sports

Despite some injury troubles, Davis remains one of the most talented players in the NBA. The 6-10 253-pounder was selected by the New Orleans Hornets with the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Davis is in his 10th NBA season and his third with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Davis seemed to be a fan of shaving his face, at least during his brief time at the University of Kentucky. However, Davis started growing out a small mustache while there. He graduated to a full beard in 2017 and has never looked back.

1. James Harden

When it comes to facial hair in the NBA, nobody beats James Harden’s beard. Harden is one of the best players in the game, but his beard style is uncanny. “The Beard” was drafted in 2009 by the Oklahoma City Thunder and he’s made 14 All-Star teams.

Harden has always had a beard, even during his college days at Arizona State. However, he went from keeping his beard somewhat tight to letting it grow into the full-grown quality beard you see today.

It’ll be hard for anyone to take away Harden’s title as having the best beard in the NBA.

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