If you’ve been on social media recently and noticed Carlos Boozer trending, rest assured, the former NBA star hasn’t done anything to spark controversy. Instead, his name has been invoked by fans who are hilariously comparing him to another former NBA player-turned-broadcaster, Ryan Hollins.
Hollins, a 40-year-old former center, enjoyed a journeyman career in the NBA from 2006 to 2016. He played for nine different teams, including the Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics. Since retiring, the UCLA product has transitioned into broadcasting, appearing as an analyst on ESPN’s First Take and currently serving as the color commentator for the Houston Rockets on the Space City Home Network.
This week, Hollins found himself in the social media spotlight for an entirely unexpected reason—his new hairline. During a broadcast on Tuesday night, fans noticed what appeared to be spray-on hair, sparking a wave of online jokes and memes.
One fan tweeted, “NAH…Ryan Hollins’ hairline is DIABOLICAL. This is just unprofessional at this point.”
Another chimed in, “Ryan Hollins just popped out with the craziest spray-on hairline since Boozer. I can’t breathe.”
Others joined in, dubbing the look “the Carlos Boozer special,” a nod to Boozer’s infamous sprayed-on hairline during a 2012 Chicago Bulls game that became an instant meme.
“My god, that looks horrendous,” one fan wrote bluntly.
Despite the barrage of jokes, Hollins has yet to address the social media frenzy. It’s unclear if the look was intentional or a misstep, but the comparisons to Boozer have cemented this moment in the annals of NBA hairline history.
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A Familiar Scenario
For longtime NBA fans, this isn’t the first time a former player’s hair choices have stolen the spotlight. Boozer’s now-infamous sprayed-on hairline from over a decade ago remains one of the most memorable and mocked moments in league history. Fans were quick to draw parallels, dubbing Hollins’ recent appearance as a spiritual successor to Boozer’s viral look.
Hollins’ Options Moving Forward
While Hollins hasn’t commented on the attention, his next move will be closely watched. Will he stick with the look, or will he switch things up to avoid further ridicule? Either way, his broadcasts will undoubtedly have an extra layer of scrutiny in the coming weeks.
Rockets Back in Action
The Houston Rockets are set to take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night, with tipoff scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Fans will undoubtedly tune in, not just for the action on the court but also to see if Hollins has opted for a new look or decided to embrace the viral moment.
For now, it seems that Hollins will have to ride out the wave of internet humor. After all, in the world of sports broadcasting, even something as simple as a hairline can turn into a trending topic overnight.
