NBA bans Magic's Jalen Suggs from wearing headband on neck
- - NBA bans Magic's Jalen Suggs from wearing headband on neck
Scooby Axson, USA TODAY January 4, 2026 at 12:35 AM
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NBA bans Magic's Jalen Suggs from wearing headband on neck
The NBA and its uniform police have another suspect in custody.
This time, it's about headbands.
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs has been wearing a headband around his neck to start games and his explanation for doing so goes back to playing high school football before he ended up playing basketball for Gonzaga.
Suggs, who is in his fifth NBA season, said he doesn't have an explanation for the unique fashion statement.
“I wear it on my neck and once I feel into the game, into the flow I put it on my head and we rock," Suggs said earlier this season. "That’s just me being J-Suggs.”
Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.
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Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.
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1 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponentsOct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.
“Really, it originates as football drip—that’s where it stems from. But I don’t know, there really isn’t much else to it. I wear it on my neck, and once I get into the game, into the flow, I put it on my head and we rock.”
During the television broadcast of Orlando's game against the Chicago Bulls on Friday, it was explained that the NBA told Suggs he begin the game with the headband situated where it was initially intended – and not as a choker around his neck.
The last time the NBA had an issue with headgear was the 2019-2020 season, when it banned the "ninja-style" headbands, citing safety concerns about their length and how they were tied.
Suggs is averaging 15 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game this season for Orlando.
Kendra Douglas mentions that the league told Jalen Suggs that the headband must be on his head to begin basketball games pic.twitter.com/ap3UqPKyKf
— The Magic Way (@MagicFilmRoom) January 3, 2026
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA bans Jalen Suggs from wearing headband on his neck
Source: “AOL Sports”
