The History of Nerlens Noel Hi-Top: The Inspiration, The Beginning and The Trend

By Erin Ashley ()

Now this is the story all about how, Nerlens Noel’s lift got flipped, turned upside down. I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there as I explain how he became the icon of Hi-Top Hair.  Well, maybe not the icon of Hi-Top hair, but in a day and age where it is uncommon to see this coiffed hair, Noel does certainly rock it!

For those who do not know the history of the Hi-top fade (better known as a Flattop) this sleek style originated during the 1980s when rappers like Schoolly D and Doug E. Fresh bravely set the stage with the first version of the hi-top fade in hip hop. This fashion trend represented the “Golden Era” of a musical genre and a hairstyle, where in all its glory, the higher the peak, the better the fade. But like any pop culture fad, this hairstyle faded away.

Flashforward three decades in the future to Kentucky Wildcat, Nerlens Noel, who bravely dons this hairstyle as a form of inspiration, driven by the fictionalized version of Will Smith on the 90s sitcom, . If it were not for The Fresh Prince, we might not have ever seen Noel flaunt this unique style. When asked about origins of his fade, he explains  “ It all started when I was a little kid. I would watch the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air every night before I went to bed. Will Smith was my role model growing up. That was when I wanted to get the Flattop (hi-top fade).”

Nerlens Noel rise to fame ignited in high school. Like most teenagers, he wanted to set himself apart, and thus began the resurgence of the Hi-top fade. “ I had it (the flattop) since Freshmen year and I mean it was good,” Noels stated, “ Not many people had it. It was original; bringing it back from the day. I liked it, it stood out.”

Well, his hair isn’t the only thing that stands out or stands up for a matter of a fact. Nerlens Noel is officially a member of the incoming class of 2016 for the Kentucky Wildcats, joining the likes of Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress and Willie Cauley as a student-athlete on the basketball team.

With Anthony Davis’ unibrow attracting fan craze, inspiring some to create unique clothing for basketball games, the possibility of UK shirts containing funny and crazy logos and sayings for the Hi-Top seems to intrigue him. “ I think that (having shirts with my Hi-top fade) would be dope,” Noel happily, yet humbly said, “ It shows you how much the Kentucky fans engage in their players and their future.”

Not only will the Kentucky Blue Nation adopt the craze creatively, but Nerlens Noel’s stylish Hi-Top fade may ignite a new trend amongst his fellow teammates. If Will Smith can keep the hairstyle growing strong until this day, Nerlens may have a chance to influence his teammates and a whole host of teens as well.

“ That would be crazy if all of my teammates had the Hi-Top. No pressure, because it is not everyone’s look. I’ll try to get them to get it too but haha I mean it’s cool. I like it.” Noel said.

Could you imagine? Hi-Tops everywhere, it may even trend on Twitter as it’s own personified self. Well, not only will we get to enjoy the Hi-top during the Wildcats 2012-2013 season but we will also get to enjoy the chance to see another potential “” out on the court again.

Until then, Nerlens Noel looks forward to his arrival at UK. When he is finally here, Noel will have a chance to stand on the court at Rupp Arena, and become known as “The Prince of the Hi-Top hair.”