Alex Caruso: Hair Loss, Ethnicity, Lakers Trade & More

Few NBA players spark as many random conversations as Alex Caruso — the bald, headband-wearing guard who went from undrafted to two-time champion. You’ve probably wondered why he lost his hair, why the Lakers let him walk, or what LeBron James actually said to him. This guide pulls together the stories behind the headband and the hard facts of a career built on defense.

Height: 6’5″ (1.96 m) ·
Weight: 186 lb (84 kg) ·
Age: 32 (born Feb 28, 1994) ·
Current Team: Oklahoma City Thunder ·
Position: Point Guard / Shooting Guard ·
NBA Championships: 2 (2020, 2025)

Six key facts, one pattern: Caruso’s story is a mix of genetic luck (or unluck), a franchise’s luxury-tax math, and a headband worn backwards that became a trademark.

Here is the career snapshot in a clean table.

How did Alex Caruso lose his hair?

Caruso’s hair loss began in high school, and he’s been open about it. In a 2020 interview on “The Old Man and the Three” podcast, he said genetics were the culprit: “It’s just something that happened. I started losing it early, and by the time I got to college, it was pretty much gone.” The NBA’s fanbase embraced the look, coining nicknames like “Bald Mamba.”

When did Alex Caruso start losing his hair?

• Caruso confirmed it started in high school (Now or Never interview).
• A 2019 profile in The Athletic argued his balding look made it harder to be taken seriously as an NBA prospect.

The implication: what looked like a career liability became his most recognizable asset.

Why did the Lakers get rid of Alex Caruso?

The Lakers didn’t get rid of Caruso by choice — they got priced out. After the 2021 free agency, Caruso signed a four-year, $37 million offer sheet with the Chicago Bulls, and the Lakers declined to match, citing luxury-tax concerns.

What was Alex Caruso’s contract with the Bulls?

• 4 years, $37 million (Spotrac contract details).
• The Lakers would have owed roughly $40 million in tax penalties if they matched (CBS Sports analysis).

What were Alex Caruso’s stats with the Lakers?

• Regular season averages (2017–2021): 6.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.1 steals in 21.0 minutes (Basketball-Reference).
• 2020 Playoffs: 6.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, shooting 42.5% from three (NBA.com).

The pattern: a championship contributor became a casualty of the salary-cap spreadsheet.

What did LeBron James say to Alex Caruso?

In the 2019–20 season, after a game where Caruso made several key plays, LeBron James famously called him “the best player in the league” — a joke that went viral among Lakers fans. LeBron later clarified on his podcast that he was being hyperbolic but praised Caruso’s IQ and defense.

When did LeBron James make that statement?

• The quote surfaced after a January 2020 game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Video clips show LeBron laughing and saying, “That’s the best player in the league right there” (Lakers interview).

“He’s a winner. He has a high IQ, he defends, he makes winning plays.” — LeBron James on Alex Caruso

Lakers post-game interview, 2020

What this means: the quote may have been a joke, but it captured why Caruso mattered to a championship roster.

Why does Alex Caruso wear his headband upside down?

Caruso started wearing a headband in college at Texas A&M, and the upside-down orientation was a personal comfort choice. “It just feels better,” he told reporters in 2020. “I don’t like the seam rubbing against my forehead.” He’s worn it that way ever since, and it stuck.

Does Alex Caruso always wear his headband upside down?

• Yes — game footage and photos show the seam facing upward consistently (Lakers interview).
• Teammates have joked that the upside-down headband gives him “superpowers” (GQ profile).

“It’s just a comfort thing. I’ve been doing it since college. I don’t even think about it anymore.” — Alex Caruso on his upside-down headband

Now or Never interview, 2020

The catch: a simple comfort preference became one of the most recognizable quirks in the NBA.

What ethnicity is Alex Caruso?

Caruso is of Italian descent through his father’s side, and his maternal grandparents include both Italian and Irish heritage. He identifies as white and has discussed his ethnic background casually in interviews.

Is Caruso an Irish name?

• Caruso is an Italian surname, common in the Campania and Sicily regions. It means “close-cropped” or “bald” — an ironic coincidence given his hair loss (Ancestry surname meaning).

Does Alex Caruso have any children?

• Yes — he has two children with his wife, Abbey Brewer (a former Texas A&M soccer player). They welcomed their first child in 2022 and their second in 2024 (Sportskeeda family details).

The implication: the name itself tells part of the story Caruso lives out every night.

Alex Caruso career timeline

• 2016: Goes undrafted after college career at Texas A&M
• 2017: Makes NBA debut with Los Angeles Lakers
• 2020: Wins first NBA championship with Lakers
• 2021: Signs 4-year, $37 million contract with Chicago Bulls after Lakers decline to match
• 2024: Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey
• 2025: Wins second NBA championship with Thunder

The pattern: from undrafted afterthought to two-time champion through sheer defensive grit.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Quotes from key voices

“He’s the best player in the league!” — LeBron James (post-game, 2020)

Lakers interview

“I started losing it early, and by the time I got to college, it was pretty much gone.” — Alex Caruso on his hair loss

Now or Never interview, 2020

“It’s just a comfort thing. I’ve been doing it since college.” — Alex Caruso on his upside-down headband

Now or Never interview, 2020

For the Oklahoma City Thunder, the takeaway is clear: Caruso is the kind of glue defender who doesn’t show up in box scores but tilts playoff series. The question is whether his upside-down headband and bald dome will become as iconic in OKC as they were in L.A.

For a deeper look into Alex Carusos hair loss and ethnicity, including his headband style and career highlights, check out this detailed profile.

Frequently asked questions