How Jordan Walsh's hair condition, alopecia, leaves him bald but lets Celtics forward serve as inspiration originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jordan Walsh has grown into more and more of an important piece for the Boston Celtics this season.
For the Celtics to make a playoff run in the 2026 postseason, Walsh will likely have to make at least a bit of an impact. And when he's out on the floor, he'll be noticed by fans both for his game and for reasons beyond that.
It's something he has embraced as a way to shine a light for others.
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It's an autoimmune condition that causes total hair loss, both on the head and all over the body.
Jordan Walsh doesn't want others with his condition to feel alone.
He told The Athletic he was bullied growing up, but in a video put together by the NBA G League, Walsh said, "I hope I can be a beacon of light" for kids who have the same condition.
When he was growing up, Walsh looked up to former NBA player Charlie Villanueva, who had the same condition.
“He was really helpful, more than anything off the court,” Walsh told Celtics Wire in 2023. “Just with my head, my confidence, just stuff like that, because he understands what I’ve been through. I can tell him everything and he’s been through the same thing. He’s got great advice.”
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Jordan Walsh is a 22-year old forward for the Celtics.
He was a second-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft out of the University of Arkansas. Walsh won an NBA championship in 2024 with the Celtics.
In the 2025-26 regular season, Walsh averaged 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting 50.9% from the floor, 38.4% from 3-point range and 77.2% from the foul line.
He's got fans for plenty of reasons beyond just those numbers, too.
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