Ja Morant's hair has evolved from a clean-cut afro taper fade into one of the most recognizable signature looks in professional basketball. As his status in the NBA grew with the Memphis Grizzlies, his hairstyle transformed right alongside his game, shifting cultural conversations around athlete grooming, individual expression, and modern loc maintenance.
Understanding the appeal of his hair requires looking past surface-level trends. His journey is a masterclass in patience, texture management, and how an athlete can use personal style to build an iconic personal brand. Here is a complete breakdown of how his hair developed, the mechanics behind his signature locs, and how you can replicate the look with proper care.
The Evolution of Ja Morant's Hair Journey
When Morant entered the national spotlight during his college days at Murray State and his early NBA seasons, he sported a high-volume afro paired with a crisp taper fade. This initial look was neat, sharp, and standard for explosive guards needing low-maintenance styling during intense athletic training.
Soon after establishing himself in Memphis, he transitioned into two-strand twists. This shift served a dual purpose: it offered a fresh aesthetic on the court and provided the ideal structural foundation for locking hair. As the months passed, those twists matured into semi-freeform locs and traditional dreads. Over subsequent seasons, his hair grew significantly longer, allowing for dynamic styling choices such as high buns, ponytails, and vibrant color treatments on the front coils.
Core Mechanics: How His Iconic Dreads Formed
Achieving a look similar to Morant's requires understanding the biology and mechanical process of textured hair. Hair types around the 4b and 4c range possess natural coily patterns that readily fold back on themselves when left to coil or twisted intentionally.
- The Starter Phase: Morant began with short two-strand twists. When coily hair is twisted and left undisturbed, the cuticle layers naturally intertwine and mat together over time.
- The Budding and Matting Stage: As new growth emerges, the hair shafts swell and tangle internally. This is where individual twists solidify into permanent locs.
- Semi-Freeform Growth: Rather than maintaining a rigid, salon-fresh retwist every two weeks, Morant’s style often leans into a natural, lived-in aesthetic. This gives his hair the signature bounce, movement, and volume seen during explosive drives to the basket.
Practical Maintenance for Active Hairstyles
Maintaining long locs while playing high-impact professional sports presents unique challenges. Sweat, friction, and frequent washing can dry out the scalp and weaken the roots if neglected. Proper upkeep relies on specific routines.
Regular cleansing is non-negotiable. A common misconception suggests that dreadlocks should rarely be washed, but residue-free or clarifying shampoos remove sweat and salt buildup without loosening the maturing knots. Following washes, lightweight natural oils like jojoba or argan oil keep the scalp moisturized and prevent brittleness.
Athletes or active individuals must also manage tension. Pulling locs into a tight bun during competition keeps hair out of the eyes, but excessive pulling stresses the hairline over time. Alternating between loose styles and protective ponytails preserves root health. Adding color highlights, such as the bleached or dyed tips seen on some of Morant's front coils, demands extra deep-conditioning treatments to combat the drying effects of chemical processing.
Common Mistakes When Growing Locs
Many people attempting to replicate athletic hairstyles run into frustrating setbacks. Avoiding these missteps ensures healthy hair growth.
- Over-Retwisting: Constantly twisting your hair too tightly or too frequently stresses the follicle, leading to thinning roots and traction alopecia. Give your locs breathing room between maintenance sessions.
- Heavy Product Buildup: Using thick waxes, heavy gels, or petroleum-based pomades traps dirt inside the loc core. Stick to water-based sprays and light, natural oils that rinse out cleanly.
- Impatience with the Starter Stage: Locs take time to mature. Skipping steps or trying to force mature length overnight usually results in structural damage. Trust the progression from twists to locked strands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long did it take for Ja Morant to grow his hair out?
Growing a full head of mature locs typically takes anywhere from 18 months to over three years, depending on individual hair growth rates, genetics, and initial length. Morant’s hair has steadily gained length across multiple NBA seasons.
Can anyone get dreads like Ja Morant?
Yes, though the exact method depends on your natural hair texture. Coily hair types lock naturally using twists or starter coils, while straighter hair textures require techniques like backcombing, crochet methods, or specialized loctician care to form durable locs.
What products are best for maintaining loc-based styles?
Residue-free shampoos, lightweight hydrating mists, and natural carrier oils form the foundation of a healthy loc routine. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, keeping the scalp clean and reducing heavy chemical buildup is vital for long-term hair resilience.
Do dreadlocks damage your hair?
When maintained correctly with proper hygiene and balanced tension, locs are a protective style that actually minimizes daily manipulation and breakage. Damage only occurs when hair is pulled too tightly or washed improperly.
