While most NBA players are known for their athleticism and skill on the court, there are a few who stand out for their less-than-attractive looks. Though judging someone’s appearance is completely subjective, some players have frequently been the butt of jokes and discussions revolving around their unconventional physical features.
This lighthearted list takes a look at 5 of the players most often brought up in conversations about the ugliest in NBA history based on fan polls and player rankings. Of course, beauty is only skin deep, and all these players have impressive basketball resumes.
1. Gheorghe Muresan
Towering at 7’7″ (2.31m), Romanian giant Gheorghe Muresan is considered by many as one of the ugliest players to ever step foot on an NBA court. His freakish height is the result of a pituitary gland disorder, and it gives him elongated, disproportionate facial features like a large nose, tiny deep-set eyes, a pointy chin, and a constantly surprised expression.
Muresan was the NBA’s tallest player ever and played for the Washington Bullets and New Jersey Nets in the 90s. Though his looks constantly made him the butt of jokes, no one was laughing about his skill – he led the league in field goal percentage in 1996-97.
2. Sam Cassell
Sam Cassell played 15 strong seasons as a point guard in the NBA and helped two different teams win championships. But many fans couldn’t get past his odd-shaped head which seemed too small for his body. His wide-set eyes, distorted jaw, and jagged teeth only further contorted his face.
Cassell developed a reputation for looking like an alien, earning nicknames like “E.T.” from Shaq. But Cassell took it all in stride, once arriving at a post-game interview in an alien costume. On the court though, Cassell was all business when running the floor.
3. Popeye Jones
You’d think someone named Popeye would eat his spinach to get strong – not to fix his ugly mug. This journeyman power forward somehow looked like a mummy and a cartoon at the same time. Jones had a bulbous nose, jutting jaw, small frantic eyes, and massive protruding ears.
4. Manute Bol
Sudanese center Manute Bol gives Muresan a run for his money as the NBA’s ugliest. At 7’7″ (2.31m) like Muresan, Bol looked like a volleyball player’s pole – long, lean, and ready to snap. Weighing just 200 lbs (90kg), his stick-like frame was a rare sight in the paint.
With his incredulous height and frighteningly skinny physique, Bol didn’t even seem real at times. Fans gawked at his alien-like qualities, like his lack of muscle definition, pterodactyl-sized arms, and almost invisible eyebrows. But his specialty was swatting shots, which he remains one of the best at.
5. Dennis Rodman
Worm‘s outlandish behavior and ugly mug made him a controversial NBA icon. The Hall of Fame forward had naturally odd features like a giant forehead, pointy nose, patchy growth of facial hair, and piercing eyes. His ever-changing hair color and lip rings also made him an eyesore.
Rodman brought most of the ugly upon himself. His tattoos, piercings, and crazy hairstyles likely sprang from some inner torment. But the ugly seemed to fuel him on the court, where he’d relentlessly grind, shut down scorers, and dive for loose balls.
Sources:
sportsbrief.com/nba/18440-ranking-15-ugliest-nba-players-league-now/
briefly.co.za/facts-lifehacks/top/123880-the-ugliest-nba-players-voted-by-here-top-25-list/
medium.com/@saycreckler/top-10-ugliest-nba-players-of-all-time-in-the-world-a5e8760c3efa
